The River Path The River Path
Bridges, Aqueducts and Canals
Bridges are often our first point of contact with a river. The first bridges were probably of felled trees lain across the river (Stockbridge and Trowbridge both refer to tree trunk bridges) and then of worked timber.
The Romans built bridges in wood, and probably stone, but none remain in Britain. The oldest surviving timber bridge is over the River Ouse at Selby and dates from 1790.
The first simple stone bridges - clapper bridges comprise large slabs of stone rested on stone piers to span a stream or small river. Tarr Steps, which crosses the River Barle in Somerset, is the longest with 17 spans supporting stone slabs 5 feet wide. It is too narrow for carts but Pont Sarnddu in Carnarvonshire is ten feet across and wide enough for vehicles.
Packhorse bridges, small arched bridges, with very low parapets so as not to get in the way of the horse's panniers, can still be found for example at Wycoller in Lancashire, Moulton in Suffolk, and Fifehead Neville, Dorset.
More sophisticated stone bridges were built abundantly in the 13th century, the use of timber continued into the 16th century. The river Skell at Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire, is crossed by probably the oldest arched bridge in England. Thirteenth to fourteenth century bridges can be recognised by their pointed arches and by the V-shaped extensions over the cutwaters for pedestrian refuges. These were superseded by bridges which were ribbed under the arches (14/15century), and those with semi-circular arches.
But all of these styles are modified by the needs and knowledge of the locality. In the early eighteenth century Daniel Defoe observed "...the Nyd, smaller then the Wharfe, but furiously rapid, and very dangerous to pass in many places, especially upon sudden rains. Notwithstanding, such lofty high built bridges are as not to be seen over such small rivers in any other place".
Masonry arch and cast iron bridges derive from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Bridges were usually made from local materials. In the eastern counties they were first built with timber and then brick. Mayton Bridge 8 miles north of Norwich has four centred brick arches.
Bridges are facing particular problems at the moment because heavier lorries carrying 41 tonnes, have been allowed into Britain and the debate is on to increase this to 44 tonnes. Many of our old bridges will need further strengthening a tricky and expensive business if the integrity of the original structure is to be maintained. Old bridges could be used as a form of traffic calming and control, with weight restrictions which channel the heaviest lorries to the main roads.
Bridges over rivers may themselves carry water. The Pont-y-Cysyllte Aqueduct carries the canal linking the Mersey with the Severn. Thomas Telford's audacious and beautiful high bridge over the River Dee is rightly a grade one listed structure (1795). There are many smaller aqueducts, reservoirs and leets which guide water to canals which themselves may move water from catchment to catchment. The different canals have their own personalities and livery with wonderful details in their bridges, towpaths, buildings and locks made from local materials.
Pictures:
(Top) Two Dorset bridges: White Mill Bridge near Sturminster Marshall (left), Colber Bridge at Sturminster Newton (right).
(Bottom) The Dundas Aquaduct on the Kennet and Avon Canal (left) and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal (right).
Our guidance notes for Naming of Rivers, Brooks and Bridges can be found HERE
