Summary

An 1843 stone bridge over the River Monnow, altered in 1945.

Description

An 1843 stone bridge over the River Monnow, altered in 1945.

MATERIALS: sandstone.

DESCRIPTION: rectangular with splayed abutments, orientated with narrow ends roughly to the north and south. The bridge has a large, central span formed of a segmental arch formed of a single course of ashlar blocks flanked by horseshoe shaped flood arches of smaller ashlar blocks. The spandrels between arches and the parapet are in rubble brought to course, with coping stones to the parapets. Both northern abutments are splayed out from the side of the road. There is a circular metal Brecon Beacons National Park plaque bearing that organisation’s flag and logo on the west face of the eastern parapet at the north end of the bridge. A square stone tablet inscribed ‘H.C.C. / 104’ (Herefordshire County Council) on the east side of the west parapet.

History

A bridge over the River Monnow at Allt Yr Ynys on the border between Monmouthshire in Wales and Herefordshire in England is mentioned in ‘An Historical Tour in Monmouthshire’ by William Coxe (1748-1828), published in 1801. This bridge was timber, and likely to date from after the turnpiking of the road in the second half of the C18. By 1809 the timber bridge required renewal, and the work was carried out under John Gethin (1757-1831), Surveyor of the County Bridges for Herefordshire. This would have been the bridge shown on the 1841 tithe map of Walterstone. The 1809 timber bridge was rebuilt in stone in 1843. Plans from 1945 show proposed works to the bridge which reflect its current appearance. Repair work and repointing to the bridge was carried out in March 2021.

Reasons for Listing

The bridge over the River Monnow. approximately 50m south of Allt-Yr-Ynys. is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* the bridge is solidly designed and is well made, in a modest and functional style fitting for its rural location.

Historic interest:

* the border between England and Wales falls in the centre of this river crossing, and the bridge illustrates the history of this route connecting market towns either side of the border;
* the changes made over time illustrate how the responsible local authorities have invested in the bridge by rebuilding in stone and adapting it to allow use by heavier motorised vehicles.

External Links

• Wikidata Q26347241

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)