Recording the changing face of Benfleet: Part One - Demolition and rebuilding

The 1960s saw dramatic changes to Benfleet, in particular to the creekside view of the village. The railway bridge had tarmac rather than water running under it …..many of the black boarded cottages and commercial premises were demolished to make way for Ferry Road as it is now.

Fortunately there were photographers who had documented how it once was and in Tom Scott we have one who photographed the process of change.

Tom Scott owned the Motor Torpedo Boat “Bendigo”, which was moored by Benfleet Bridge until the barrier was built in 1977. These photographs come courtesy of Dennis and Anne Gredley (niece) via Keith Webster.  For further pictures see part two.