Survey Data
Reg No
40401731
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1730 - 1770
Coordinates
260837, 311841
Date Recorded
20/06/2012
Date Updated
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Description
Four-arch humped masonry road bridge over the Annalee River, built c.1750. Narrow tarmacadam deck flanked by parapets with Scotch copings. Spandrels and parapets of random-rubble stone. Round arches having roughly formed voussoirs, central arches larger than outer spans. Random rubble-stone arch soffits. V-cutwaters of random-rubble stone rise up to parapet level forming small pedestrian refuges on bridge deck, paired on each side. Shallow rubble-stone abutments on footings forming plinths around cutwaters. Wing walls matching walling and coping of parapets and spandrels.
Appraisal
One of a series of eighteenth-century bridges built over the Annalee River, Scarvy Birdge has cutwaters rising to create pedestrian refuges that are placed opposite each other on the bridge deck. Though built entirely of rubble stone the bridge is well proportioned. Its design and construction provide insight into bridge building during a period of considerable road network expansion, which contrasts with the more common cut stone, flat decked bridges that date to the road building and arterial drainage projects of the nineteenth century, during which many such bridges were replaced. The gently humped rubble stone structure makes a picturesque addition to the rural landscape.