Listed Building record MDR9905 - Whatstandwell Bridge, Cromford Canal, Main Road, Crich

Whatstandwell Bridge, Cromford Canal, Main Road, Crich, built to take the pre-existing Crich to Wirksworth turnpike road over the Cromford Canal, completed in 1794. 'A simple bridge constructed of local rough coursed gritstone. The string course follows the line of the deck. The bridge has a stilted arch, the parapets and battered abutments curve and splay, and it has flush half-round copings. It is wider between parapets than other Cromford Canal bridges and has longer wider curves to the parapets on the south-east and north-west sides terminating in rounded piers. The other tow piers are 'standard Cromford' square. The bridge rises from the west to the east. The line of the canal copings continues as a string course under the bridge on the offside. The towpath passes under the bridge on the west bank. Arched recesses in the bridge narrows indicate 'Brindley Gates'. The bridge was built to take the pre-existing Crich to Wirksworth Turnpike road over the canal.' (1) From the National Heritage List for England: 'SK 35 SW PARISH OF CRICH MAIN ROAD 3/31 Canal Bridge GV II Canal overbridge. Late C18. Coursed rubble gritstone, with single semi-circular arch incorporating roughly shaped voussoirs, but without a keyblock. Plain band above arch head, and shallow rubble parapet walls with half round copings. The bridge tapers in width from west to east, and has splayed abutments. The Cromford Canal was opened in 1793, its engineer being William Jessop. Listing NGR: SK3324954316.' (2)