Description

1
5321 ALBURGH
TM 28 NE
16/1316
Homersfield Bridge
3.6.81
II*
2.
Bridge, dated to 1869. Architect Henry Eyton, constructed by Messrs Phillips
for the Flixton Estate. Composite wrought iron and concrete construction, cast
iron balustrade. Of single span with segmental arch. The wrought iron is
expressed on the arch face and at the level of the carriageway. Otherwise the
internal cross members, now visible due to rust staining were originally encased
in mass concrete. The soffit of the bridge is composed of this, finished fair-
face, as are the spandrels which have reeded panels. The open balustrade is of
cast iron bolted to the wrought iron top member. Balusters with spiral nailhead
ribbon decoration carry wide St Andrews crosses with guilloche ornament. At the
intersection of each cross is a medallion initialled S.A. (Sir Shafto Adair,
Bart). The moulded cast iron handrails carry ball finials above each baluster.
On one side the handrail is embossed with a small panel "HM EYTON, ARCHITECT".
At the centre of each face of the bridge cast iron shields with the arms of the
Adair family. The roadway edge is of York stone paviours, finished with roll
nosing above the bridge faces. At each end of the bridge the balustrade termi-
nates in short brick piers with rectangular York stone caps. Repair drawings
from 1907 record that the bridge was padlocked with a chain each year at a time
of flood "So as to force people to pay the toll ..... 2d each is charged". The
composite construction of the bridge makes it an early forerunner of modern
reinforced concrete structures. At the time of this description (Feb 1989) the
bridge is the subject of a joint conservation project involving Norfolk Historic
Building Trust and Suffolk Preservation Society. Sources:- Copies of
construction drawings together with contractors and architects letters dated
December, 1869; Norfolk County Council Highways Department; Suffolk Preservation
Society Newsletter Winter 1986-7, page 3.
NB: This building is also listed in the parish of Wortwell, South Norfolk (see
below) and in the District of Waveney, Suffolk and is situated in the Civil
Parish of Homersfield. see the 3rd amendment to the 13th list of Buildings of
Special Architectural or Historic Interest in the District of Waveney, Suffolk
as at 27.4.87

---------------------------------------------------------
1.
5321 WORTWELL
16/1316 Homersfield Bridge

3.6.81 II*

2.
This building is also listed in the parish of Alburgh, South Norfolk (see above)
and in the District of Waveney, Suffolk and is situated in the civil Parish of
Homersfield. See the 3rd amendment of the 13th list of Buildings of Special
Architectural or Historic Interest in the District of Waveney, Suffolk as at
27.4.87.

Listing NGR: TM2832985689

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Homersfield Bridge at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q16707741

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

• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)