Omdurman Transportation

Omdurman is connected to Khartoum by two bridges spanning the White Nile. There are another two connecting Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri). If one of the bridges went out of action I don't know what would happen - the city's reliance on them is incredible. Surprisingly there is no ferry service, just the bridges, so with thousands of people crossing between the two cities every day things get a bit chaotic.

The original Omdurman bridge is known as the 'English Bridge', a huge steel structure that's been here since Kitchener. It wasn't even new then as it had been transported from somewhere in India. As you'd expect of a second-hand century-plus old bridge, it doesn't look in tip-top shape. Built for days when there were fewer cars it only operates one way - in the mornings it goes from Omdurman to Khartoum, in the afternoons it swaps and goes the other way.

If you need to go against the flow then you have to travel a bit further up the river to the newer 'Chinese Bridge'. As the name suggests it was built with Chinese money and expertise - as was the Friendship Hall on Nile Street - and as with the Hall it's dull, grey and concrete. But it is a lot bigger (open both ways) and goes some way to solving the city's growing transport congestion.

With the growth in traffic in Khartoum and Omdurman in recent years (particularly rising numbers of buses) it can't be long till a third bridge is needed. Have never understood why there isn't a ferry...