Fenny Bridge

Fenny Bridge is a road bridge over the River Otter, built in 1809 by James Green. It is constructed of Flemish bond red brick with granite coping and piers, which include local conglomerate ashlar in less exposed areas. The bridge features three large segmental arches that spring from low vertical abutments. Each of the two piers has low round-ended cutwaters at both ends, made of rusticated granite ashlar and topped with low pitch semi-conical caps. Each side of the bridge is divided into five bays by shallow piers, positioned over each cutwater, each riverbank abutment, and terminal piers at either end, allowing the road level to gradually rise towards the center. A plain brick stringcourse projects at road level and wraps around the piers as they ascend to the parapet, which has granite ashlar weathered coping. The piers above the cutwaters are panelled. This attractive bridge carries the main London road that predates the motorway and is believed to have replaced a stone bridge referred to as St Annes Bridge by Leland and Polwhele. The earliest document related to the bridge discusses funds for repairs granted in 1555.