Sauls Bridge

Sauls Bridge is a road bridge that crosses the River Brain, built around 1814. It is constructed from cast iron, with a 20th-century red brick and concrete extension on the west face. The bridge features an 18-foot single arched span supported by nine soffit ribs. It stands on a red brick base with red brick support pillars on either side, topped with cast iron heads. The original east and west faces of the bridge have central vertical moulded panels with a vertical line above. The upper rectangular panels on both sides are marked "Ransom and Sons" "Ipswich 1814". Each side also has two lower spandrel panels with central tie bolts leading to roundels at the ends. The east face has a cast iron base for the rails, divided into eight sections with cruciform posts and segmental pointed top rails. The two sections on either side curve away from the road and feature alternating moulded and circular rails, while the four central sections have three moulded rails each. The lower half of the original west face remains visible from the river. The 20th-century west extension includes a central red brick wall on a concrete span, with concrete capping and metal tubular rails on the side sections. This bridge is notable as it represents the first agreement by an Essex County Surveyor, Robert Lugar, to build in iron, with a total construction cost of £700.