To see a personal account of this bridge see Kenneth Wright's memoirs at http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/lewisham/new-cross/kenneth-wright-recalls-01.htm

1882 OS map shows a draw bridge at this location.

Jed Bland has found a quote by Wishaw 1840 referring to the old draw bridge at this site -

"spanning the River Ravensbourne is a Balance-Bridge which requires the power of eight men to raise it when necessary for the purpose of allowing masted vehicles to pass above Bridge. On each side of the viaduct between the Spa Road and Deptford is a carriage and footway enclosed by a brick fence-wall"

There was an image of an old 1840 print of the original drawbridge at http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/lewisham/deptford/creek-railway-bridge-1840.htm

Unfortunately by December 2020 the Ideal Homes website and the Tellmebout websites no longer seem to be available.

The 40-tonne lift span is reputed to have been unreliable due to unstable foundations, and is believed to have been welded shut some years ago.