Listed Building record MDR11583 - Belper Bridge, Belper
Type and Period (1)
- ROAD BRIDGE (Georgian to 21st Century - 1796 AD to 2050 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
Belper Bridge, Belper, built in 1796 to replace an earlier bridge.
'Three-arched bridge of 1796 with modern cantilevered deck (original parapet removed). Stepped voussoirs and rounded rusticated cutwaters with flat piers above.' (1)
There is believed to have been a medieval ford at Belper Bridge that was replaced by a bridge in about 1380 and there is a reference of 1387 to the 'pontem de Beaure'. This appears to have been replaced in the 15th century, as a warrant was issued in the reign of Henry VI 'to pay twenty pounds towards building a new bridge over the Derwent for the benefit of the tenants of Beaurepaire'. Belper Bridge was a county bridge, and was further repaired in 1714. According to Derry (1890), the bridge was taken down in 1791, when a carved stone was taken from it and incorporated in the gable of a house in Belper Lane. The stone is that described by Pilkington in 1789, who notes: 'Upon the bridge … over the Derwent .. Are fixed the arms of John of Gaunt by whom it is supposed to have been built'. The specifications for the new bridge, dated 1795, are reproduced by Derry and include the note that the contractors agreed to support 'the present Tempory [sic] bridge in repairs till the other is passable'. The new bridge was completed in 1798. An alternative date for the destruction of the bridge is given by Jewell (1998) who states that the bridge was rebuilt between May 1796 and December 1798 following its collapse due to a great flood in 1795. (2-4)
'In 1976 the Strutts rebuilt the Bridge which had been destroyed by a flood in 1795. The new bridge was completed in 1797.' (5)
A Saltway used by packhorse crossed the Derwent at Belper, and using place name evidence, such as Salters Wood and Saltersflatt give suggestion to the original course of the route. (6)
From the National Heritage List for England:
'1. 5167 SK 3448 SW 1/5 3.2.66
BRIDGE FOOT Belper Bridge
II
2. 1796 to 1798. Built by Benjamin Marshall (although specification signed both by Benjamin and Isaac Marshall) under direction of Thomas Sykes (County Surveyor of Bridges 1786-1816). Triple arched ashlar bridge with rounded cutwaters. Modern pedestrian walks have iron parapets and are cantilevered out. (D A J xii 1890 8-10). Replaced earlier bridge swept away in storm.
Listing NGR: SK3448648130'
(7)
Sources/Archives (8)
- --- SDR19551 Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. List entry number 1087394.
- <1> SDR20056 Unpublished document: Morris, M (Mel Morris Conservation). 2004. Study to Identify Candidate Buildings for Grant Assistance and a Review of Conservation Area Boundaries, Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
- <2> SDR8015 Article in serial: Derry, T. R.. 1890. 'Some notes on Old Belper and Old Belper books', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Volume 12, pp 1-23.
- <3> SDR20499 Bibliographic reference: Jewell, R. 1998. Memory Lane. Belper, Ambergate and District.
- <4> SDR19754 Unpublished document: Stroud, G. 2003. Extensive Urban Survey: Belper. Archaeological Assessment Report.. Component 10.
- <5> SDR18621 Unpublished document: Derwent Valley Mills (DVM) Nomination Steering Panel. 2000. Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage List Nomination Document. 102.
- <6> SDR22662 Unpublished document: Morris, M (Mel Morris Conservation). 2005. Summaries of Historic Transport Networks in the Derwent Valley World Heitage Site.
- <7> SDR19551 Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1087394?section=official-list-entry.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | SK 34486 48130 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BELPER, AMBER VALLEY, DERBYSHIRE |
| World Heritage Site | Derwent Valley Mills |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- EDR3895
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External Links (0)
Record last edited
Dec 6 2023 12:27PM