BRIDGE AT NGR TL 3451 1372

HERTFORD

TL3413NE THE NEW RIVER, THE KING'S MEAD 817-1/7/351 Bridge at NGR TL 3451 1372

II

Bridge, built to span the Hertford cut of the New River. 1817. Prefabricated cast-iron girder bridge with perforated spandrels, ornamental keystones with date. Convex chordal profile, span approx. 4.5m, rise approx. 450 mil. Inscribed 'New River Co', 'Priestfield Iron Works near Bilston' (Staffordshire). Outer arches carry cast and wrought-iron post and rail handrails. HISTORICAL NOTE: the New River was constructed in 1608-13 by Sir Hugh Myddelton to provide water for London, with a 38 mile water course from Chadwell Spring, between Ware and Hertford. By early C18 the supply had become inadequate. In 1739 a new Act allowed water to be drawn from the River Lea near Hertford, to be measured by gauges, designed by Robert Mylne (1733-1811). The River Lee Act 1855 gave the New River Company and the East London Waterworks Company the right to take the whole of the Lea water, with the exception of that required for navigation. An improved cut was made across the King's Meads, and a new Gauge House (qv), designed by William Chadwell Mylne (1761-1862) was built in 1856. (Thames Water: History of the New River: London: 1985-; The industrial archaeology of the British Isles: Branch Johnson W: Industrial Archaeology of Hertfordshire: Newton Abbot: 1970-: 97-101 167).

Listing NGR: TL3450313716