Monument record 7376/1/4 - Section of Watling Street Stone Tramway

{1}{3}{4} An 18th century relic reconstructed some years ago by the County Council using at least some of the original materials. The 'tramway' idea recycled Roman thinking to provide a firm surface for cart and coach wheels up a fairly lengthy gradient. The reconstructed surface consists of an approximately 3m run of stone runners.

{2} A section of preserved stone pavement built to assist horses hauling road coaches up steep gradients. Preserved section consists of grey granite blocks laid end to end in two parallel lines with the area in between filled wilth granite setts. Built in 1837. The two lines of blocks would have been suitable for vehicles with a wheel gauge of between about 4ft 6in and 6ft. The stretch of preseved pavement is 17ft 6in long and 6ft 3in wide. Plan.

<1> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, NIAG Industrial Gazetteer, (checked) (Draft). SNN101121.

<2> Cragg, R., 1988, The Institute of Civil Engineers Panel for Historical Engineering Works Record Form, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN106629.

<3> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage Of Northamptonshire, Site 55 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN104759.

<4> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2011, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire (2nd Edition), Site 57 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN107622.

Record last edited

Jul 11 2013 10:16AM