| The Andrews Pages Picture Gallery : Derbyshire |
| A selection of photographs, prints and postcards.
Some have personal or family connections |
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| The Bridge, Bakewell, 1920s |
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Bakewell's stone built bridge over the River Wye, which is Grade
1 listed, dates from about 1300. It is the oldest bridge in
England. There are five Gothic arches on its lower side with
the upstream side, which was rebuilt in the same style during
the 19th century, having been repaired several times[1].
Each triangular quoin over the buttresses has, at road level,
two steps up from the road itself. Pedestrians
would use these cut-waters to protect themselves from the traffic.
The increase in traffic towards the end of the nineteenth
century caused problems for the County's bridges. In 1883 Derbyshire
County Council's Bridges and Highways Committee repealed bye-laws
relating to locomotives that had been confirmed only the previous
year. It was decided that locomotives should not be used on
twenty-two bridges in the county as it was felt they would
endanger the public. Several bridges in this part of Derbyshire
were listed included those at Bakewell, Baslow, Calver New
Bridge, Edensor, Rowsley, Matlock, Cromford and Two Dales[2].
Ten years later William Henry Beeston, a traction engine proprietor,
was summonsed and fined at the Bakewell Petty Sessions for
taking a locomotive across Stokes Bridge[3].
Such heavy vehicles could have caused serious damage to bridges
that has previously only been crossed by a horse and cart.
In 1891 Derbyshire County Council ordered a slight alteration
to the bridge, raising the parapet 3ft. 6in[4].
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1. "16.35 The Bridge Bakewell Peak District", Copyright
real photo Donlion Productions Doncaster. Unused. Postcard in the
collection of, provided by and © Judy Cooper.
2. "Bakewell Bridge". Pen and ink drawing from "The
High Peak to Sherwood, The hills and dales of old Mercia",
Thomas Linthwaite Tudor (1926), published London by Robert Scott.
With drawings by Fred Adcock and others. This drawing was done
by Tudor. © Ann Andrews collection.
Researched, written by and © Ann Andrews.
Intended for personal use only.
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References:
[1] "Derby Mercury",
19 November 1779. General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, re
repairs to Bakewell Bridge. "Derby Mercury",
30 June 1847 reported that all County Bridges were in good
repair, with the exception of Allport [sic] Bridge, and Bakewell
Bridge which required the roads stoning. Bakewell Bridge was
first mentioned as "needed mending" during the January
Quarter Sessions earlier in the year (ibid., 6 January
1847)
[2] "Derby Mercury",
18 July 1883. Highways and Locomotives Amendment Act of 1878.
[3] "Derbyshire Times", 15 April 1893.
[4] "Derby Daily Telegraph",
15 April 1891. |
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