Harrison's Bridge

Harrison’s Bridge is a railway bridge dating from 1835-40, constructed during the early phase of railway development under the direction of consulting engineer George Stephenson. The bridge carries a double railway track over a roadway leading to a field.

The lower courses and facing stonework are of coursed squared rubble, rusticated on the facing, while the upper parts of the segmental arch are constructed of orange-red brick laid in stretcher bond, two layers deep. The underside of the arch above the springing point is exposed brickwork, with coursed stonework below, separated by a string course. Each outer face features coursed stonework with large stones used for the jambs and voussoirs, which have pointed ends to fit into the surrounding masonry. Splayed stone abutments project to each side, topped with flat copings. A modern parapet, designed to resemble stone bricks and capped with a metal rail, sits on a concrete plinth at the level of the railway line. Three small, purpose-unknown holes are present in the stonework on each face, positioned between the lowest voussoir and the abutment.

The North Midland Railway opened in 1840, connecting Derby to Rotherham and Leeds. George and Robert Stephenson surveyed the route in 1835, and the line to Leeds was completed on July 1st, 1840, requiring 200 bridges and seven tunnels; much of the route was built on embankments or in cuttings. The North Midlands Company experienced financial difficulties and was amalgamated with other companies in 1844 to form the Midland Railway. The railway line remains in use.

The bridge may have been designed by T E Harrison, though this is unconfirmed. The name of “Harrison’s Bridge,” appearing from 1852 onwards, may refer to a local landowner rather than the engineer.

The bridge is designated at Grade II for its early date within the "pioneering" phase of railway construction, and for being unaltered except for the addition of a modern parapet.