Deanery Bridge

Pack horse bridge, C18 with a later-C20 deck and parapets.

MATERIALS: abutments and spandrels are mostly coursed squared rubble, with areas of a less regular nature; the arch rings are of roughly shaped sandstone blocks. There is a concrete deck with steel and mesh railings.

PLAN: a single-span arched bridge, with wide abutments and short attached wing walls to the south end; a wide concrete slab deck oversails the original bridge.

DESCRIPTION: this bridge carries Mill Lane over the River Gaunless providing access to South Church village and the Church of St Andrew on the north bank. The bridge comprises a very narrow, rather flat, segmental stone arch, between stone abutments that are around twice as wide as the arch. A poured concrete slab about 3m wide oversails the arch rings on either side. Makeshift parapets are formed of stanchions, and a mixture of flat bars, tyre-traction mats and wire mesh. Diagonal tie bars help support a pipeline and electricity cable attached to the eastern elevation of the bridge. There are short, splayed attached wing walls to the south end formed of roughly coursed stone.