Kingsferry Bridge is a bridge located in the Swale district of Kent, England. It carries the A249 road across the Swale, a tidal channel that separates the mainland of Kent from the Isle of Sheppey. The bridge connects the town of Sittingbourne on the mainland with the Isle of Sheppey to the north. It is a lift bridge, meaning that a section of the span can be raised vertically to allow the passage of tall ships and maritime vessels beneath.
Opened in 1960, Kingsferry Bridge replaced an earlier ferry service that had historically provided transport across the Swale. The current structure was constructed to improve road connectivity and support regional development. The bridge is operated and maintained by National Highways, the UK government body responsible for motorways and major A roads.
The bridge is approximately 430 meters (1,410 feet) in length, with a central lift span measuring about 54 meters (177 feet). It is one of the few operational lift bridges in the United Kingdom and is occasionally opened to accommodate marine traffic, which may result in temporary road closures or delays.
There is no evidence to suggest that "Kingsferry Bridge" refers to any other structure or concept outside of this geographical and infrastructural context. The name derives from the historical "king's ferry," a term used for royal or authorized ferry crossings.