Survey Data
Reg No
40402519
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1850 - 1860
Coordinates
234840, 298668
Date Recorded
12/07/2012
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Single-arch stone road bridge, built 1855, over River Erne, having wide segmental arch, two short-span semi-circular arches from earlier bridge, built c.1780, to west side. Principal spane having squared rubble stone abutments and arch barrel, with even rock-faced voussoirs and squared rubble spandrels and parapet with large stone coping blocks. Tall pier and abutments of squared rubble stone supporting narrow arch barrels to western side arches having irregular cut-stone voussoirs and V-cutwaters, rubble stone spandrels and parapet with solider coping.
Appraisal
An interesting road bridge, displaying two stages of development, demonstrating changes in bridge building techniques from the mid-eighteenth to the mid-nineteenth century. The earlier western section comprises multiple narrow arches with wide piers, while the later main span is typical of the Board of Works nineteenth century arterial drainage improvements that were carried out to waterways across the lakeland region to improve land drainage and agricultural production. The bridge retains form and fabric from both construction periods, and the use of robust local stone integrates the structure into the local landscape. It contributes to the historic character of its rural surroundings and to the civil engineering heritage of the county.