Severn Bridge including Flanking Arches and Balustrade

This is a bridge constructed between 1797 and 1799 by Thomas Telford, with J Simpson as the builder. It is a structure of group value, representing a significant contribution to the built environment.

The bridge is built primarily of ashlar White Hollington sandstone, Pennant Green/ Grey sandstone, and cast iron. The stone balustrades on the bridge itself are of stone, while those on the embankments are cast iron. The bridge comprises three arches over the river, along with flanking arches and balustrades. Two towpath arches are present on the south bank, with retaining walls and balustrades to Load Street and Severn Side South. Two towpath arches on the north bank extend to twelve further barrel-vaulted arches, supporting the elevated Stourport Road and extending about 50 metres to the south-east.

Each side of the bridge features three segmental arches with rusticated extradoses and triangular cutwaters topped with pyramidal caps. Above the caps, broad pilasters rise to a moulded cornice below the balustrade, which incorporates bulbous stone balusters. A central, pedimented tablet on the balustrade displays the arms of Bewdley.

The elevated Stourport Road ramp is constructed of ashlar blocks and has rusticated arches and a string course on each face. Piers rise above the coped parapet to form a balustrade with cast-iron balusters and handrails. Cast-iron gates provide access to the riverside from the arches. On the north side of the road, a break in the balustrade provides access to steps leading down to a footpath. This footpath is defined by ashlar return walls topped with iron railings and terminates in piers with moulded caps. At the north end, the road curves onto the bridge deck, and the road wall on the north side slopes down to a footpath and pedestrian entrance opening onto the land to the north. On the south side, an entrance has been inserted into the balustrade, with replaced stone piers. Further south, the balustrade curves to form a return wall adjacent to a set of stone steps leading down to North Quay, which is separately listed at Grade II.

On the south side of the bridge, the parapet wall slopes down to the south-east and curves around into Severn Side South. The retaining wall facing the river consists of coursed ashlar with rusticated arches and stone pilasters, rising to form piers supporting the cast-iron balustrade above. It features a projecting string course and a stone parapet. The Load Street wall is of a similar design, with pedestrian steps leading down to Severn Side North. This section has a cast-iron balustrade of slender stick balusters and a handrail. The surface below the southern towpath arch is cobbled.