English Bridge - Arched Viaduct - Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com

The English Bridge is a masonry, seven arch viaduct, crossing the River Severn. The present 400 feet long bridge is a 1925 rebuilding & widening, using the original some of the masonry of John Gwynn's design, completed in 1774. Located at Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The text on the bronze plaque set into the stonework at the crown of the bridge on the North side reads;
"The English Bridge - was built in 1768-1774 on the site of an earlier bridge. In 1925-1927 it was taken down and completely rebuilt, its steep gradient halved & its width increased by 26&1/2 Feet, Every sound stone in the original structure, reused. The bridge was opened by HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN on 13th August 1927."

THE ENGLISH BRIDGE
"From the earliest times there has been a crossing point at, or near, the site of the present English Bridge. For some seven hundred years there were two bridges, connecting the foot of Wyle Cop to Coleham Head, and Coleham Head to the Abbey. The ‘new’ bridge was opened in 1774. In 1925 the bridge was dismantled and completely reconstructed in order to reduce its steep gradient and widen the carriageway from 23 ft to 50ft. The panel at the crown of the bridge, on the north side, commemorates its completion.: Text Source; (visit link)

The English Bridge, Shrewsbury;
"Designed by John Gwynn, the New Bridge or English Bridge was evidence of Shrewsbury’s participation in the economic growth of the late 18 century. Between 1925 and 1927, it was remodelled and the steep gradient was reduced.

“The original east bridge, which passed over the Severn towards the London road….consisted of no fewer than seventeen arches, varying considerably in their style and dimensions….nearly the whole of its northern side was occupied by houses, which reduced the actual width of the bridge to twelve feet. In the year 1765 a subscription was entered into for repairing, widening, and improving the bridge…The subscription, however, proved so liberal, that, notwithstanding some progress had been made in the intended alterations, it was determined to pull the old building down, and to erect a new one. In pursuance of this spirited determination, Mr Gwyn (sic), a native of the town, was employed to furnish a design…and what is now termed the New Bridge, is justly regarded as one of the finest ornaments of Shrewsbury. Its entire length is four hundred feet; it has a handsome balustrade on each side; and the breadth between the balustrades is twenty-five feet. The arches, seven in number, are semicircular. To allow a free passage to the frequent floods of the Severn, the architect found himself under the necessity of giving a quicker curve to the bridge than the eye of taste or a sense of safety or comfort could justify. The central arch is sixty feet in width, and forty feet in height, and thirty-five in width. The material employed in the bridge was the fine stone of Grinshill quarry.” Text Source; (visit link) & (visit link)

Length of bridge: 400 feet Height of bridge: 45 feet What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Pedestrians & Motor Vehicles. What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: The River Severn Date constructed: 13th August 1927 Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes Name of road or trail the bridge services: Abbey Foregate - A5191 Location: Shrewsbury - Shropshire.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   02/25/2016 veritas vita visited it