A PERPETUAL problem of government is how much is the electorate prepared to pay for public services and what are the consequences of providing the service or of leaving people to make their own arrangements.

An example of the change of attitude can be seen in the care of bridges on public highways. Until the late 19th century, the upkeep of bridges was mostly the responsibility of their owners, even if they were part of a main road system.

Only when no owner could be found would the County assume responsibility, as was the case with Middlebridge.

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(Image: Contributed)

There were two bridges at Greatbridge. One was called ‘Lower Greatbridge’ and is now simply Greatbridge. The other was ‘Upper Greatbridge’ which lay east of the pub then known as The Duke’s Head. That bridge was demolished in 1911 and re-sited in its present position on the main road a little to the north of the pub in Timsbury.

The maintenance of Lower Greatbridge was a problem because it crossed the Test, and the middle of the stream marked the boundary between Romsey Infra and Romsey Extra. Thus half the bridge lay in one jurisdiction while the other half lay in another, and to effect repairs, the two owners had to come to agreement.

The owners were Romsey Borough for one half and for which no source of funds was allocated, and the Stanbridge estate for the other half.

Romsey Borough records show that repairs were made in 1646 and again in 1688.

John Latham, writing early in the 19th century, remarked that it was impossible to cross the river there with a carriage. The alternative route entailed taking the road along Cupernham Lane, which is above the wetlands of the valley floor. This route from the town centre is much longer than travelling due north along Greatbridge Road.

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In 1778, ninety years after the previous repairs had been made, part of the bridge had fallen down, and it was recorded that the whole bridge needed rebuilding.

The mayor of Romsey raised £64 3s 0d (£64.15) by public subscription to rebuild the bridge, while the work cost £69 5s 8d. (£69.58). The list of 162 subscribers has survived. It was headed by Lord Palmerston who gave three guineas (£3.15). Lesser people gave smaller amounts, the least of which was William Watts who contributed one shilling (£0.05). It is not apparent whether this money paid for the whole bridge, or only the town’s half of it, nor how the shortfall was funded.

In the late 19th century, both bridges were adopted by the County authorities in whose care they still lie.