The Charing Cross railway bridge has bales of hay added to its scaffolding due to an ancient law that requires such warnings for reduced headroom. According to the Port of London Thames Byelaws, a bale of straw alerts mariners whenever the clearance under a bridge is diminished. The law, despite being rooted in medieval times and its reasons forgotten, remains enforced in contemporary regulations. As maintenance progresses on Hungerford Bridge, the bales will be moved along with the scaffolding each time an arch is covered, ensuring compliance with this unusual requirement.
The scaffolding around the Charing Cross railway bridge has two bales of hay added due to an ancient law requiring them when bridge headroom is reduced.
Despite its origins being lost to time, the medieval law requiring bales of hay remains intact in modern river bylaws, highlighting its surprising survival.
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