Star.pngStar.pngStar.pngStar grey.pngStar grey.png

Bridgefoot Bridge

From Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Bridgefoot Bridge
Location Map ( geo)
Bridgeft-br1.jpg
Cameraicon.png View gallery (2)
Location
Lydford
County
Somerset
Highway Authority
National Highways
Opening Date
1820, 1958
On road(s)
A37
Crossings related to the A37

Bridgefoot Bridge is where the A37 Fosse Way crosses the River Brue near Lydford. The fact that the A37 still follows the Roman alignment suggests that there was a crossing here nearly 2000 years ago, and quite possibly a bridge in Roman times. However, the modern bridge is a little newer.

The bridge standing today dates back to c1820, when the western half was built. It is a single stone arch span decorated only by a string course at road level. In 1958 it was widened on the upstream side by the addition of a rather dull concrete extension, topped by a rubble parapet to match the older one. The widening has resulted in wide grass verges on either side of the roadway across the bridge, which survive despite most bridges having isolated stretches of pavement!

The predecessor to the current structure was called the Fosse Bridge and apparently sited a little way downstream. This would have, oddly, put it off what appears to be the alignment of the Roman Road, however no evidence of the bridge survives as it was demolished soon after the new bridge was built, so its true site is unknown.




Bridgefoot Bridge
Related Pictures
View gallery (2)
Bridgeft-br1.jpgBridgeft-br2.jpg
Crossings of the River Brue
River BrueChurch Bridge (Bruton) • Leggs Bridge • Ansford Bridge • Bridgefoot Bridge • Pomparles Bridge • Cold Harbour Bridge • Westhay Bridge • River Bridge (Burtle) • Bason Bridge • M5 Brue Bridge • Brue Bridge (Highbridge)
Huntspill RiverWoolavington Bridge • Bleak Bridge


SABRE - The Society for All British and Irish Road Enthusiasts
Discuss - Digest - Discover - Help