Middleham Bridge

SE 18 NW MIDDLEHAM A6108

3/47 Middleham Bridge

II

Suspension bridge, now road deck-bridge. Dated 1830, altered 1865. By Hansom and Welch. Coursed rubble and ashlar, cast and wrought iron. Each abutment consists of 2 rubble pylons and rear buttressing walls. Each pylon is rectangular in plan and has a battered base; a turret with a loop-hole on inner-facing and river-facing sides, the inner ones originally for suspension cables; and castellated parapets projecting on ashlar corbels. Each pair of pylons joined by a 4-centred chamfered ashlar arch carrying a rubble wall with, on inner faces, 2 blank ashlar shields and a panel. Northern panel inscribed 'THIS BRIDGE was erected by Voluntary Subscription A.D. 1830, RALPH RIDDELL ESQr. of Cheeseburgh Grange, Northumberland having very generously contributed thereto thro' the medium of Mr. J. DOUTHWAITE his Agent by a gift of the land on which the North Abutment and Wing Walls are built. Messrs. HANSOM & WELCH, Architects'. Cast-and wrought-iron bridge deck supported on 2 cast-iron columns into river bed. Wrought-iron parapets, on inner sides panels cast 'HEAD, ASHBY & Co. ENGINEERS 1865 STOCKTON-ON-TEES'. The suspension structure was damaged soon after construction, it is said by the unlikely phenomena of a herd of cattle, which were being driven across the bridge, getting into step. It was repaired, but eventually replaced by the present deck in 1865.

Listing NGR: SE1190088754