Description and History of Site:-
John Green an Architect and Engineer of Newcastle designed and built the masonry bridge at Blackwell in 1832. It has three elliptical arches spanning 19.2m 23.77m and 19.2m and it is of very fine appearance. Problems experienced with the excavation for the foundations due to quicksand which were overcome by creating a firm base using bales of wool and faggots of thorns. Opened as a toll bridge the toll keepers cottage still exists on the Yorkshire side half hidden by the high parapet the tolls were not abolished until the 1870s. For many years the bridge carried the A1 road and in 1960 it was widened on the downstream side using reinforced concrete but with Gatherly Moor stone facing to match the original.

Further Reading and References:-
Morris C.H. 2000. Bridges over the Tees. Cleveland Industrial Archaeologist Society. Research Report No 7.

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Key Words :- river tees bridge

Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from the public road or footpath

Address :- A66(T), Stapleton, Darlington, North Yorkshire, DL3 8TW
Grid Ref :- NZ 2702 1260
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.507997 , Long -1.584218
Local Authority :- Richmondshire District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1121318,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1832 - current
Record Date :- 19 January 2016

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Charles Morris