Ancient law requires a bale of straw to hang from the Millennium Bridge

Upholding an ancient law, next month a bale of straw is to be hung from the Millennium Footbridge as a warning to boats on the Thames.

It’s an ancient bylaw of uncertain heritage that if a bridge arch is open to river traffic, but but with restricted headroom, then a bundle of straw should be hung from the bridge as a warning.

And, as it happens, next month, contractors working on behalf of the Illuminated River Foundation, who are planning to light up all the bridges, will be conducting work on the Millennium Footbridge, and the head room of the bridge will be reduced by enough to trigger the ancient law.

The works take place at various times between Monday 4th March 2019 and Saturday 11th May 2019, so look out for the oldest of bylaws enacted on central London’s newest river crossing.

But only during the daytime.

At night the bale of straw is replaced with a light, but sadly it’s an electric one instead of a burning bale of straw.

from IanVisits http://bit.ly/2SXrzhW