Cowley Bridge

Cowley Bridge is a road bridge that spans the River Exe, built between 1813 and 1814 by James Green, a civil engineer and surveyor for the County of Devon. The bridge features an ashlar structure with three segmented arches, pilasters positioned between the arches that have round-headed niches below the parapet, and small recessed panels above. A dentilled band runs at road level, topped by a coped parapet. The voussoirs and abutments are made of Thorverton stone, which contrasts with the red sandstone of the main structure, and the bridge has low cutwaters. Cowley Bridge was constructed to replace a previous 12-arched bridge, funded jointly by the County of Devon and the Chamber of Exeter during the mayoralities of B W Johnson Burnes Pitch and John Flour Esquires. The date of the first stone being laid, 22nd June 1813, along with this funding information, is recorded on two inscription panels facing each other on the parapet. The total cost of the bridge was £9,000, and it is considered Green's most significant work. Cowley Bridge is located partly in the City of Exeter and partly in Upton Pyne parish.