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Copyright © Bridgwater Blake Museum 2024
The building of the stone bridge over the River Parrett at Bridgwater was begun in the time of
King John, by William Brewere, and finished in the reign of Edward I, by Sir Thomas Trivett.
When Bridgwater was stormed and taken by Cromwell’s forces in July, 1645, this bridge
obstructed the successful advance of the storming party for two or three days. There was at that
time a gate at the bridge, where the royalists made barricades, and drew up a drawbridge.
The passage of barges up the river was obstructed and often occasioned much damage at high
tide, so in 1795 it was taken down, and a Coalbrookdale - made cast iron arch bridge erected in
its place.
The Coalbrookdale-made iron bridge of 1795
'Bridgewater Bridge — '
This structure, which is principally composed of cast-iron brought in piecesfrom Coalbrook-Dale,
Shropshire, by water carriage, is now pretty well completed: it consists of one arch, the span of
which 75 feet; the road-way is 24 feet wide in the clear, including two foot paveways; it is lighted
with six lamps. The expense of erecting the bridge is about £4000 which was collected by
additional toll on all the turnpikes leading to the town. The former bridge had stood 500 years,
and was built by an ancient Lord of Bridgewater; the piers are not yet quite taken away.The iron-
bridge is one of the handsomest in the kingdom.'
A newspaper report of 1798
The bridge was replaced by the present Town Bridge in 1883. It was designed by Mr. R. C. Else,
C.E., of Bridgwater, with a 75 feet span and 36 feet wide in the clear, having two footpaths each
six feet wide. It consists of seven wrought-iron arched ribs drawn together by transverse and
diagonal braces, and rests upon, and is built into, masonry abutments. The paneling consists of
ornamental cast-iron railings, fitting into Ham Hill masonry piers each end, and surmounted with
cast-iron lamp brackets carrying Sugg's patent lanterns and burners. The road is practically
level, only rising six inches in the centre of the bridge, and the new bridge is 12 feet wider than
the old one. The contractor was Mr George Moss, of Liverpool, the cost amounting to £3,214 11s
4d, the iron work of the old bridge was disposed of to the contractor for £175, and he provided a
wooden temporary bridge for the sum of £150
Bridges
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