height of 74 ft above the River Colne. Designed by Bruff, it cost £21,000 to construct. It was built for double track, although only a single line was laid. In June 1848 the I&BR were in talks with the EUR and the terms of the lease were rejected at first, but fear of an ECR takeover ensured that a deal was done. On 30 May 1849 a special train was run and after Board of trade approval was received trains started running on 2 July. The Hythe Quay branch of miles opened to goods traffic only on 1 April 1847, using locomotives hired from the EUR. The first train carried coke and malt for Hanbury and Trumans brewery. A small goods station was established at Eastgate and in 1852 at Hythe in addition to the quay facilities. It was not until 1 March 1866 that the Tendring Hundred Railway extended the line to Wivenhoe and opened to passenger services; the route was later extended to Clacton and Walton-on-the-Naze. Absorbed by the Eastern Counties Railway During most of the EUR's existence, the ECR had adopted a hostile and obstructive strategy, and took advantage of the fact that the EUR was dependent on the ECR for running through to London and Norwich Thorpe. From time to time, through fares were unavailable, connectional arrangements at Colchester were disrupted. In the 1850s the EUR became increasingly vulnerable. In November 1850 Cobbold presented a bill to Parliament requesting running powers to London, Lowestoft and Yarmouth all over ECR operated lines. Indeed, it seemed that through working of traffic would cease, although this was averted in March 1851. The EUR finances were in a serious state with considerable debts from building the Norwich extension, and operating costs had climbed to 60%. Cost cutting measures were adopted, but the impact of these was not significant in scale. In early 1851 the EUR directors discussed leasing their line to the ECR, but that company turned the proposals down. Thomas Brassey joined the EUR board, and he was fundamental in negotiating the takeover of the EUR. In late 1853 negotiations with the ECR were resumed, and agreement was reached on 19 December 1853. The ECR was to take over the working of the EUR network from 1 January 1854. The arrangement was sanctioned by Act of 7 August 1854. This was a lease and working agreement, and the EUR