Monument record 9104/0/1 - Bridge at SP 838 671

A brick-built bridge probably constructed in the 19th century.

{1} (SP83876713) Elevation sketch and colour photos attached.
The bridge is located to the north of the village and carries a private north south track at an oblique angle over a small but steep sided north east by south west flowing brook. The latter ultimately joins the Swanspool Brook and then the River Nene at Wellingborough. A bridge appears to be present here on the 1st edition 1:10560 OS map. The track and brook are also present on the unpublished Ordnance Surveyors plan of c1819, though the latter appears to take a more sinuous course that on later maps.

In plan the bridge, which is entirely brick built, forms a parallelogram approximately 6.5m wide . Each side is approximately 9.5m long. Four brick piers (c0.58m square at the ends of the bridge) are present each side, two being set either side of the single centrally located barrel roofed single span. The latter is over 2.30m high at its centre and 1.82m (72 inches) wide. Bricks are laid in English bond. Their size varies between 230-235mm (c9-9¼in) long by 110-115mm (4¼ - 4½in) wide by 70-75mm (2¾-3in) high); many exhibit a characteristic mould ‘band’ impression along one side. According to the owners, the bricks are reputed to have come from Wellingborough.
The tops of both parapets have suffered extensive damage/decay with several courses missing. Surviving brickwork is loose, at least in parts. On the east side of the bridge the surviving parapet stands between 0.55 and 1.25m above the carriageway ground surface; on the west side to a maximum of 0.85m. None of the parapet top appears to survive and there is no evidence for the form of capping used, though this was presumably also in brick. Some crescent shaped bricks that are present have reportedly been brought from elsewhere on the farm. Part of the northernmost pier on the west side of the bridge has been lost and there is a large crack in the upper part of the adjoining wall. Part of the outer part of the arch on the eastern elevation has been lost or is at risk. Much, if not most of the brickwork is in need of re-pointing. There is some evidence for repairs/re-pointing to the lower parts of the bridge. Despite the readily apparent deterioration of the upper parts of the bridge, the major span and lower parts appear to be in a reasonably sound condition.

This is a large and impressive bridge, built in what are presumed to be locally produced bricks. Its date of construction is unknown but suspected to be 19th century. Its large size at first seems at variance with its location. Its height was presumably necessitated by a wish avoid any marked depression on the north south track as it crossed the brook. Might this and the bridge’s substantial width be a response to the wish to accommodate heavy/bulky equipment – such as for example used in steam ploughing and steam threshing. Was construction part of a wider (post enclosure ?) drive for improvement, perhaps linked to the building of new farm and field structures and improvements to the wider farm infrastructure?

Management Recommendation:
The bridge certainly contributes to local distinctiveness and character. Ideally further documentary research is required to determine its date of construction and the purpose for which it was built as well as the source of the bricks. Are the latter the same as used in barns and other structures on the farm? Is the bridge an example of farm infrastructure improvement? On the basis of present evidence the bridge is assessed as being of local importance. Further research might raise this assessment. Attention is clearly needed to address the poor state of parts of the bridge and would probably need to be informed by the input of specialist advice from a structural engineer. Whilst this would undoubtedly be of benefit locally and would be welcomed by NCCs Historic Environment Team, on present evidence it is not identified as warranting high priority attention in a county context.

Subject to other commitments, our historic buildings Conservation Officer Martin Ellison (tel: 01604 237093) would be willing to provide some further basic guidance if this is of assistance in helping develop a repair scheme for the bridge.

<1> Cadman G., 2002, Land At Mears Ashby, Site Inspection 24th September 2002, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN102309.

Record last edited

Aug 5 2021 11:33AM