Crich Junction Bridge (SPC8/46)

A single-span skew underbridge over the River Amber, built c.1837–1840 to the design of North Midland Railway Assistant Engineer Frederick Swanwick, under George and Robert Stephenson, and widened on both sides c.1863–1880.

MATERIALS: coursed and squared quarry-faced Derbyshire Gritstone, with ashlar dressings and red brick soffits.

DESCRIPTION: one skew span carrying the Midland Main Line over the River Amber. It comprises, from north to south: wing walls of c.1863–80, formerly for a flat metal span; the segmental masonry arch of c.1837–40; the segmental masonry arch of c.1863–80.

The wing walls of c.1863–80 have ashlar padstones formerly for the flat metal span. Set back between them is the north face of the c.1837–40 arch. Its abutments and parapet have been heightened in coursed stone; the parapet is capped by a steel railing set in thin concrete slabs.

The c.1837–40 arch has rusticated voussoirs, which return as quoins to the soffit, abutment quoins and an impost band. Its south face meets the straight join with the c.1863–80 arch.

The impost band is carried through the c.1863–80 arch. It curves around the south face of the bridge to terminate at the projecting piers flanking the arch. The south face of the bridge has rusticated voussoirs which are cut short at the crown by a cornice which carries across the projecting piers. There is a low ashlar parapet above, topped with a steel railing.

Pursuant to s.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’) it is declared that the steel railings are not of special architectural or historic interest.