N Parade Bridge - 1836 / 1937 - Bath, Somerset - Bridge Date Stones and Plaques on Waymarking.com

Here are two plaques on the balustrades at the west end of the bridge. The bridge was originally built in 1836 and the north balustrade plaque reads:
Built by David Aust from the design and under the direction of W Tierney Clark Engineer AD 1836.

Extensive alterations were carried out 100 years later to strengthen the original structure, and this is marked by a plaque fitted into the south balustrade which reads:
City of Bath
North Parade Bridge
Rebuilt 1936-7
Opened to traffic by His Worship the Mayor Couoncillor W. F. Long July 1937
F.P. Sissons M. Inst. M & Cy. E., City Engineer
J. Basil Ogden, M.A., LL. B., Town Clerk

"A plaque shows the date of construction as 1836. However, it was altered 100 years later.

Built as a cast iron bridge with masonry abutments. Extensive alterations were carried out in 1936-7. Some sources state that the arch was rebuilt, others state that the iron arches were retained and clad in masonry. From the limited reports so far identified, it seems most likely that the cast iron deck was replaced with reinforced concrete, the arch ribs strengthened with a reinforced concrete arch, and the sides clad with stone. Unfortunately the city fathers presumably thought that stone cladding was more in keeping with the surroundings.

There is a door in the abutment's archway, allowing access to the inside of the abutment. It may be that this in turn provides access for inspection of the iron structure.

1836 '.....Messrs. John and Alfred Blyth, of London, were the contractors for the iron work, and Mr. Aust, of Bath, was contractor for the masonry. The workmanship and castings of the bridge are of the very best description, and not surpassed by any yet executed. The masons' work (by the contractor, Mr. Aust) is exceedingly beautiful; indeed the whole has been executed in the most perfect and masterly manner, and reflects the highest possible credit on all parties concerned.'

1933 'Four lady elephants in Bertram Mills' Circus have been bitterly disappointed. They were to have ambled along from the Circus Field to the Abbey Churchyard to-day, to be presented with draughts of mineral water from the Pump Room spring. But the elephants will have to be content with their accustomed supply; they cannot take the cure because the North Parade Bridge has been deemed unsafe to take their weight! The other way — via Pulteney Street — is too far for these delightfully inconsequential animals. Though they would like to "take the cure," they think it not worth while to go the trouble of trundling their gigantic forms all the way up Pulteney Street. The North Parade Bridge is unsafe for regular traffic, and although cars are on special occasions permitted, they do not have the same effect. It is not so much the actual weight of the elephants as their rhythmic strides which may prove tragic the bridge and to themselves.'

1936 'NORTH PARADE BRIDGE. The tender of £11,975, from Messrs Christian and Neilson Ltd., the London bridge builders, was accepted by the Bath Surveying Committee yesterday for the reconstruction of the North Parade Bridge. The existing structure is not to be demolished but it will encased in stonework which will strengthen the bridge and add to its beauty.' "

SOURCE - (visit link)

Date built or dedicated as indicated on the date stone or plaque.: 1936 Date stone, plaque location.: northern balustrade, west end, looking towards Pulteney Weir Road, body of water, land feature, etc. that the bridge spans.: N Parade Rd Website (if available): Not listed Parking (safe parking location): Not Listed

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