Ouse Bridge And Attached Flights Of Steps

Ouse Bridge, built between 1810 and 1820, features attached flights of steps at each end on the downstream side. Designed by Peter Atkinson junior, the bridge is constructed of limestone ashlar with a rusticated finish and includes early 20th-century painted cast-iron lamp standards. It has three spans with segmental arches made of rusticated voussoirs, supported by piers that contain round-headed niches on half-octagonal cutwaters. A moulded cornice runs beneath a sunk-panelled parapet with cambered coping. The piers extend into the parapet, serving as bases for fluted tapering lamp standards that branch at the top for pendant lanterns, topped with stylised flame finials. The flights of steps on both the east and west banks are straight, featuring plain parapets, moulded cambered coping, and cylindrical terminal piers with moulded flat caps. A historical note mentions that when the foundation stone of the bridge was laid, a brass plate was placed in a cavity, inscribed with: "The First Stone of This Bridge was laid December 10th in the Year MDCCCX and in the reign of George the Third by the Rt. Hon. Geo. Peacock Lord Mayor. Peter Atkinson Architect."