Murtry Aqueduct

The Murtry Aqueduct is a former aqueduct that carried a disused canal over the Mells River, built around 1795. It is constructed from Doulting stone with sandstone coping on the parapets. The aqueduct features a three-arch span, supporting a channel that is approximately 12 meters wide and 1.75 meters deep, along with a retaining wall extending about 17 meters to the east on the south side. The flat segmental arches have a clear span of about 6.1 meters and a rise of around 1.5 meters, characterized by triple projecting keystones and voussoirs that taper in depth from the crown to the springing point, set within rusticated spandrels beneath a flat projecting string course. Above this string course, there is a plain ashlar parapet that is approximately 1.7 meters deep, capped with heavy sandstone blocks that have a rounded saddleback profile molded only on the outer face. Between the arches are triangular cutwaters, and at the ends of the walling and between the arches, there are v-jointed ashlared pilasters that extend the full height. The maximum overall length of the parapet on the south side is about 38 meters, while the north side measures approximately 21.5 meters; the river width is around 20 meters. This aqueduct is one of the few remaining structures from a branch of the proposed Dorset and Somerset Canal, which was initiated in the late 18th century but was abandoned in 1803. The Murtry Aqueduct is noted for its quality design and architectural detail. At the time of the survey, the arches, spandrels, and abutments appeared to be in sound condition, though some voussoir stones were missing at the cutwaters. The parapet walling also seemed sound, but the proposed channel is filled with earth and has become overgrown with vegetation and trees.