After approximately 15 long years of waiting the Joe’s River Pedestrian Bridge was officially re-opened at the handing over ceremony on 17th December 2020.
Joe’s River is one of only a few above-ground rivers found in Barbados. It has gone through many name changes since the 17th Century which included being called a Streamlet and the St. Joseph’s River after the owner of the property Joseph Thorne. The river originates in the uplands of Chimbarazo, one of the highest points on the island, and makes it’s way down into Frizers Valley before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.
Joe's River Bridge And Washerwomen, Barbados postcard sourced from: MILLECARTOLINE.
Joe's River railway bridge in 1915.
Joe's River railway bridge in the days of the Barbados Railway which ceased operation in 1937.
The footbridge spans a distance of 70 feet over Joe’s River and is built on the foundation of a former bridge used by the Barbados Railway which ceased operation in 1937. In the past, Joe’s River Bridge played an integral part linking Cattlewash to Bathsheba. Without this bridge residents would have to do the trek by road that involved walking up a few steep hills or manoeuvring around rocks that they would have to climb or navigating the beach – trying not to get sand or sea in their shoes.
I remember this bridge fondly from my childhood and remember being amazed when looking up at the bridge how solid and strong it seemed. Back in those days the river ran freely collecting in a large pool before reaching the ocean. We had so much fun jumping from the rocks into the pool. Some of the biggest cray fish I’ve ever seen came from Joe’s River.
Over the years it was sad to see the bridge deteriorate but we could still access Bathsheba as the owners of the then Edgewater Hotel very kindly had a pedestrian path that all and sundry could use.
The supporting structure is still in good codition. and should last for many years. Besides suporting the bridge it also carried a large water pipe.
The Joe's River train bridge before work started. Looking upstream showing the boulder wall in the foreground.
Joe's River.
Fast forward to 2016, by this time the hotel had a new (Australian) owner determined on keeping what was used freely as a public right of way for so many years private. The Barbados Water Authority was also laying a new pipe and filled in a part of the river so that the heavy duty equipment could cross and everything changed…. With this construction, much of the original natural wall that ran along the river and many mature trees were destroyed… The new owners demanded that what was originally a natural embankment be replaced with very large boulders… Sadly with the placement of these huge boulders broken glass was also embedded into the rocks and any other area of entry was blocked using tree trunks nailed together. All of this effectively blocked the general public from accessing the road by the bridge.
Some of the walls and broken bottles used to keep locals out. One lady broke her ankle climbing down,
The old dilapidated Joe's River bridge. Looking North from Edgewater before the work started. On the right is part of the boulder wall that was erected in an effort to keep walkers out.
This shows how little the Australian owner of Edgewater Hotel cares about Bajans.
Broken bottles embeded in the bouldrers to keep hikers out.
Barrier erected to block one of the previous rights-of-ways that was used for many years.
Part of the fence used to block access. In the background is the new "blue water pipe" that is supported by the cast iron pipe that must be a hundred years old.
Fast forward now to 2020 and we have an amazing new bridge. Many thanks to Damian Brooker and Edward Ince, also to Terry Barnett, Gerald Phillips and Joseph Wilson the trio who did the hard, heavy lifting work that made the bridge a reality…
The new Joe's River pedestrian bridge.
Bathsheba resident, Tricia Gill, had the honour of cutting the ribbon, officially opening the newly rebuilt Joes River Pedestrian Bridge. To her right are Attorney General Dale Marshall, MP for St. Joseph and Chairman of the Tourism Development Corporation, Martin Ince.
The new Joe's River pedestrian bridge.
The official opening of the new Joe's River pedestrian bridge.
The North end of Bathsheba Beach. The "Cup & Saucer" is just visible to the left.
Looking South from Edgewater.
Thanks also goes out to the Future Centre Trust in conjunction with the Barbados Trailway Project, the Tourism Development Corporation, the Barbados Museum, Solar Watts, and the many other entities who have given of their time and donations…
The reopening of the pedestrian bridge is a blessing to all who traverse it, whether for hiking, walking, as a means of getting to work or school, sightseeing, etc.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for bringing it back to life!
Further information:
Joe’s River & Bridge Facebook Community page
Barbados Advocate – Opening of the new Joe’s River pedestrian bridge
Nation News – Joe’s River trail blocked
Congratulations with your new bridge, may it last a long long time and have pleasure of many feet in it’s future! :-))