Pierce Bridge

CLIFFE B 6275 NZ 21 NW 2/15 Pierce Bridge (formerly listed as Pierce Bridge (that half 19.12.51 in Croft R D)) GV II*

Bridge over River Tees. Early C16, repaired 1673, widened 1789. Ashlar and coursed rubble sandstone. 3 arches. Upstream side: coursed rubble; outer 2 arches of early C16 date, of 3 pointed orders, the northernmost arch with asymmetrical additional arch extending the abutment to improve the road gradient; central arch of 1673, of 3 semicircular orders; triangular cutwaters; C18 parapet rising from band with segmental coping, terminating in circular bollards. Downstream side: of 1789; ashlar; segmental arches with archivolts; triangular cutwaters between arches, pilaster buttress to north of northernmost arch; parapet rising from band, with segmental coping, terminating in circular bollards, the south parapet continuing round almost to the George Hotel (qv). Pedestrian retreats above cutwaters are of canted internal plan; the central ones on both sides have recessed panels with illegible inscriptions, and similar panel in southernmost downstream retreat; in centre of downstream parapet, 2 recessed panels marking boundary between County Durham and Yorkshire, the northern one with inscription "Co.D." just legible. Partly in the Civil Parish of Piercebridge. E Jervoise, Ancient Bridges of the North of England, (1931), p 53.

Listing NGR: NZ2108215554