Bridge House West at Sutton Bridge is a Grade II listed building described as a lodge.
It was built in the mid 19th century at the time the second bridge was built in 1850. The road from the bridge actually ran through what is now the front garden of the Bridge House West.The building consists of two storeys (one built into the roof space). It is constructed in red brick with ashlar dressings and quoins (or cornerstones). There are two bays: the west front has a left projecting front over which the main roof projects. The roof has fishtail tiles and sprocketed eaves and a decorative ridge. The gabled half dormer has a single casement with flush ashlar surround. The gabled porch has a chamfered pointed arched aisle doorway and a plank door.. There are some twentieth century alterations on the north side.
The present owners have lived here since 1978 and made some of the 20th century additions. It was in a bad state of repair when they bought the property. There was no inside sanitation and only a cold water tap. Previously it was let to tenants. When the railway between Sutton Bridge and King’s Lynn was built in 1864, the railway keeper lived in the house. Before that, it was a toll house like its neighbour across the river at Bridge House East, and served the second bridge. The first Toll House was no longer close enough to the roadway from the bridge, being about 100feet south of the first bridge and consequently, the roads at each end of the bridge had to be diverted to meet up with the second bridge.
At one point the District Council wanted to compulsorily purchase the building to build some public toilets, but there was a lot of local opposition to this plan and support for the present owners, including the drawing up of a petition, which attracted local and national newspaper, and television news, attention. Consequently the idea was dropped and the lodge continued to be a residence.
Bridge House West was listed after the alterations were made. Looking at the house today it is hard to see where the additions were made. Living in a listed building does have some difficulties for owners if alterations need to be done because there are special building regulations to be adhered to. Bridge House West owners think this is a good thing because it protects buildings and if other buildings in Sutton Bridge had been listed, they might still be here today. An example of this was the Station House, and the station, both of which were demolished after the railway was dismantled.
( Above information sourced from Bridgewatch )
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