The petition
UPDATE
At their meeting on 2nd May the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) agreed that: “the Authority should offer practical support to Manaton and Lustleigh Parish Councils if they find a way to take responsibility themselves for the protection of the Clam Bridge, and that the Authority should not take on responsibility or liability for the Clam Bridge”. Following this decision Devon County Council (DCC) will be putting fencing at either end of the bridge to stop it being used.
It was abundantly clear at the meeting that the DNPA and DCC have still to
recognise the cultural and historical importance of the bridge and to appreciate the depth of public feeling. Those of us working to save the Clam Bridge believe that if it can be made safe enough for the Parish Councils to take responsibility for it then there is no reason why the DNPA should not take it on. A repaired Clam Bridge could provide a model for less engineered, more sustainable bridges in other locations on Dartmoor.
We will be preparing proposals for the repair of the bridge and we will continue to campaign for DNPA to fulfil its responsibility for the conservation and
enhancement of the cultural heritage of Dartmoor.
Please join villagers from Lustleigh and Manaton in supporting their Parish Councils to persuade the Dartmoor National Park to keep the Clam Bridge open. As one supporter stated "if the Clam Bridge is removed then the Dartmoor National Park might as well stop people walking on Dartmoor."
The Clam Bridge is the perfect example of what makes Dartmoor so special for its inhabitants and visitors alike.
We need your support to petition Dartmoor National Park to keep the Clam Bridge in the Lustleigh Cleave valley open for public use.
Because of excessive concerns over safety and insurance the Dartmoor National Park (DNP) is currently considering removing the old Clam Bridge across the River Bovey on the bridlepath from Lustleigh to Manaton.
People have been using the Clam Bridge since at least 1864.
Clam Bridge is a unique bridge on Dartmoor.
The Clam Bridge is made from two tree trunks laid flat across the river and it is one of the last, if not the last bridge made in this way on Dartmoor.
The construction of the Clam Bridge is similar to the stone clapper bridges which are common on Dartmoor. The best known of these can be seen at Postbridge. The surface of each tree trunk is sawn flat and grooves are cut into it to provide a grip. The tree trunks are from trees felled nearby. These beams are replaced every 10 to 20 years and so the structure is simple, sustainable and suitable for its beautiful location
A simple rustic handrail is attached to the downstream side of the bridge. However, as Dartmoor writer William Crossing noted in his 1912 'Guide to Dartmoor', clam bridges are "seldom seen on Dartmoor".
If you have not visited the Clam Bridge please do so and see what we mean! Grid Reference: SX 766812
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