Description and History of Site:-
When completed in 1761 the bridge was the lowest on the River Trent below Newark. Designed by William Weston, the bridge has three semi-elliptical stone arches with spans of 62ft (18.9m), 70ft (21.33m) and 62ft (18.9m) respectively, supporting a 26ft 3in (8.00m) wide deck.
Built as a toll bridge, with the toll houses at the eastern end of the bridge, it was a commercial success from the start and tolls were only abolished on the 31st March 1932.
The bridge now carries the A631 trunk road and was widened in 1964 when cantilevered reinforced concrete footpaths with iron balustrades were added in place of the stone balustrades. Despite the heavy traffic now carried by the bridge, it remains in good condition.
The toll houses at the eastern (town) side of the bridge remain and are listed separately.
Although little known in England William Weston subsequently had a distinguished career in America.
Further Reading and References:-
Falconer, Keith. 'Guide to England's Industrial Heritage'. Batsford, 1980
Labrum E A, Civil Engineering Heritage - Eastern and Central England, Thomas Telford, 1994
Pevsner N. and Harris J. The buildings of England: Lincolnshire. (2nd ed) Penguin Books, London, 1989.
Wright N R, Lincolnshire's Industrial Heritage - A Guide, Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, 2004
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Key Words :- single arch stone road bridge
Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from the public road
Address :- A631 Bridge Road, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 1LP
Grid Ref :- SK8145389078
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.392265 , Long -0.776627
Local Authority :- West Lindsey District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Lincolnshire - Lindsey
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1370384, 1359747,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1761 - current
Contributor :- John Suter - 25 September 2016
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © John Suter
Grid Ref :- SK8145389078
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.392265 , Long -0.776627
Local Authority :- West Lindsey District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Lincolnshire - Lindsey
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1370384, 1359747,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1761 - current
Contributor :- John Suter - 25 September 2016
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © John Suter