Monument record 6287/1/1 - Chapel Brampton Long Bridge

Bridge, of pre-1850 origin with numerous phases of construction and repair, including throughout the 20th century. Engineer unknown. Constructed of Northamptonshire sandstone, brick and reinforced concrete.

{1}Bridge over River Nene (north); some stonework but widened & repaired in 1827 & 1924; Indulgence in 1219;

{2} Following assessment it was considered not to list the bridge principally due its highly functional style, the successive campaigns of alteration and repair and no visible evidence of pre-Turnpike Act fabric.
The earliest record of a bridge over the River Nene at Chapel Brampton is in an indulgence granted to the Hospital of St David and the Holy Trinity in Kinsthorpe, in 1219. The bridge, referred to as 'Le Long Brigge' was repaired in 1509 on the orders of the manorial court and paid for by the tenants of the manor of Boughton. The bridge was damaged by flooding in 1602 and 1735 and was the site of a small skirmish on 14 October 1643. The road was converted into a turnpike in 1721 and included a toll gate and associated cottage at the west end of the bridge. The Turnpike Act expired on 1 November 1872. The toll house was demolished in 1958. A footpath was added to the bridge in 1885 and a reinforced concrete extension was added to the north site in 1924, widening the carriageway to its current width. East of the bridge a 30m section of the northern retaining wall was replaced by an engineered slope in 2015. the parapet of the east flood arch was struck by a vehicle in 2016 and substantially rebuilt. The bridge was described as being of six arches (see Wagstaff in SOURCES), whereas the current bridge comprises a river crossing and three flood arches, linked by causeways. This suggests the bridge was completely rebuilt. The date of the rebuilding is not known but may have occurred after the passing of the Turnpike Act or following damage to the bridge in 1735.

<1> Goodfellow P., 1998, Northamptonshire Bridges, (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN42745.

<2> Historic England, 2021, Chapel Brampton Long Bridge A5199, Case Number: 1474207 (Designation Advice Report). SNN112508.

Record last edited

Apr 8 2022 2:10PM