Leeds Bridge

Leeds Bridge is a road bridge over the River Aire, built between 1870 and 1873 by engineer T Dyne Steel. It features a steel buckle plate deck supported by wrought-iron internal arch ribs of compound riveted section, with cast-iron fascia arch ribs and rusticated ashlar abutments. The bridge has a segmental arch with a scrolled motif in the spandrels, a parapet adorned with interlocking circles and a moulded rail, and displays the coat of arms of Leeds at its center. This bridge is the oldest crossing point in the town and was historically significant as the site of medieval and later cloth markets. Until 1818, it was the only dry crossing of the river. Between 1818 and 1870, the Aire was bridged at five other points, but it was estimated around 1869 that each Saturday, 4,000 vehicles and 55,000 foot passengers crossed Leeds Bridge into the town. The cost of its replacement exceeded £50,000, leading to the replacement of many buildings on the approach roads south of the river at that time.