Newton Cap Bridge

Newton Cap Bridge is a road bridge dating back to around 1600, with subsequent alterations. The bridge is oriented almost north-south, but crosses the river at a slight skew angle. It features two arches approached by short causeways at each end, and a cantilevered walkway to the east side.

The bridge is constructed of roughly squared sandstone blocks, with larger, more regular blocks used for the abutments and central pier, and differently coloured stone for the parapets. The two segmental arches have spans of approximately 28 metres (southern arch, slightly pointed crown) and 30.5 metres (northern arch). Each arch comprises three main arch rings constructed of multiple small, well-dressed voussoirs, generally thin and rectangular. The second and third arch rings are slightly corbelled out from the ring below. The northern arch has a fourth, more crudely constructed arch ring with less regular voussoirs laid flush with the third. The spandrels are mainly composed of roughly squared blocks laid in irregular horizontal courses, with some areas of more regular coursing appearing to be later patching and rebuilding. The stonework of the abutments and central pier is of a higher quality, close to ashlar.

The central pier has large pointed cutwaters on each elevation, rising to a narrow stringcourse and terminating in half-hips. Broad pilaster strips continue the pier up to parapet level, forming trapezoidal pedestrian refuges. A chamfered step-back is present just above normal river level. The southern abutment has three chamfered step-backs and a narrow stringcourse at the springing level. A narrow ashlar stringcourse at deck level separates the spandrels from the parapets, which are constructed of differently coloured stone and are believed to be replacements, as is the coping.

The western parapet incorporates a restored inscription commemorating Edward Palfrey’s jump from the bridge into the river in 1744. A modern, pedestrian walkway obscures the eastern parapet and stringcourse, partially supported on the abutments, central pedestrian refuge, and cantilevered out on girders set into the top of the spandrels. Straight joints in the western parapet walling of the central pedestrian refuge suggest a similar walkway formerly existed on the upstream side.

The walls of the causeways on both sides batter out slightly; the west wall of the southern causeway more gently, while the east wall is vertical to accommodate an L-shaped set of stone steps accessible via a stile in the parapet, which also act as a buttress to the south bank. Stabilising steel tie rods and anchor plates are visible in both causeway walls.