Kirk Bridge

Kirk Bridge is a public road bridge over the Clough River, likely built in the late 17th century or early 18th century. It was significantly widened on the west side in 1834, as indicated by the date on the top of the north-west terminal pier. The bridge is constructed from coursed limestone and sandstone rubble, featuring a parapet coping made of large flat-topped blocks. It has a segmental arch with rubble voussoirs and a chamfered straight stone slate string-course. There is a squinch at the north-west corner, and the parapets are splayed outwards at both ends, with a large inscription "1834" on the north-west terminal pier. The axial joint in the soffit of the arch indicates that the original eastern portion of the bridge was very narrow. Major repairs were carried out in May and June 1995, which included partial rebuilding of the west side, the insertion of a reinforced concrete saddle under the carriageway, rebuilding of the spandrels on the east side with concrete blocks and rubble facing, and replacement of parts of the string course and parapet on the east side with re-used stone.