New River, Gauge Enclosure And Railings On The Meads At Tl 3494 1382

WARE TOWN

TL3413NE NEW RIVER 829-1/11/206 Gauge Enclosure and railings on The Meads at TL 3494 1382

II

Gauge enclosure and railings. 1770. Designed by Robert Mylne, architect and engineer to the New River Company. Portland stone, in appearance resembling a massive chest tomb, standing on stone slabs spanning the New River. Plinth with cyma recta and scotia mouldings, sides with recessed, plain panels, cornice and blocking course. On the north bank is a half oval enclosure of cast-iron railings, with urn finials at intervals, with ogee bracing. HISTORICAL NOTE: in order to increase the supply of water to London along the New River, the company obtained Parliamentary Sanction in 1738 to construct a cut joining the New River to the River Lea, and to draw a measured quantity of water. The gauge enclosure, known as `The Marble Gauge' replaced an earlier device located at the nearby sluice and was itself superseded in 1856 by the New Gauge near Hertford. (The Industrial Archaeology of the British Isles: Branch Johnson W: The Industrial Archaeology of Hertfordshire: Newton Abbot: 1970-: 99; Thames Water Authority: History of the New River: London).

Listing NGR: TL3494013820