Summary

Eckington Bridge 570m north of Eckington Bank.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 27 May 2015. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a multi span bridge situated across the River Avon north of Eckington. The monument survives as a six-span bridge with balustrade approaches. The bridge was constructed in 1728 and was renovated during the 20th century. The bridge is orientated north east to south west and is approximately 44m long and up to 7m wide. It is constructed from sandstone with red and blue brick and some concrete. Both approaches to the bridge have a balustrade of horizontal iron railings that terminate at a 1m high stepped stone parapet with rounded coping and iron fasteners. Five stone piers separate six irregularly spaced arches spanning the river. The arches have segmental heads and stone voussoirs and each has been reinforced with two iron tie-rods and circular anchors. On both sides of the bridge are pointed cut waters, four to the north east rise up to become pedestrian passing places on the top of the bridge. Both south western cut waters are capped in concrete above the high water line.
The bridge was rebuilt in 1728 by the Worcester masons Robert Taylor and Thomas Wilkinson.

Eckington Bridge is Listed Grade II*.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Multi-span bridges are structures of two or more arches supported on piers. They were constructed from the medieval period for the use of pedestrians and packhorse or vehicular traffic, crossing rivers or streams, often replacing or supplementing earlier fords. Most stone or brick bridges were constructed with pointed arches, although semicircular and segmental examples are also known. The bridge abutments and revetting of the river banks also form part of the bridge.

Despite the insertion of a road surface and damage from vehicle collisions, the remains of Eckington Bridge survive comparatively well and contain architectural features of interest. The spacing of the arches is unusual for a bridge constructed in one period and the importance of the bridge was demonstrated when the Home Guard constructed considerable defences here during World War II.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Alan Brooks, , Buildings of England Worcestershire, (2007)
Other
Pastscape Monument No:- 118224

Source: Historic England