Description

HERTFORD

TL3413NE THE NEW RIVER, THE KING'S MEAD
817-1/7/351 Bridge at NGR TL 3451 1372

II

Bridge, built to span the Hertford cut of the New River. 1817.
Prefabricated cast-iron girder bridge with perforated
spandrels, ornamental keystones with date. Convex chordal
profile, span approx. 4.5m, rise approx. 450 mil. Inscribed
'New River Co', 'Priestfield Iron Works near Bilston'
(Staffordshire). Outer arches carry cast and wrought-iron post
and rail handrails.
HISTORICAL NOTE: the New River was constructed in 1608-13 by
Sir Hugh Myddelton to provide water for London, with a 38 mile
water course from Chadwell Spring, between Ware and Hertford.
By early C18 the supply had become inadequate. In 1739 a new
Act allowed water to be drawn from the River Lea near
Hertford, to be measured by gauges, designed by Robert Mylne
(1733-1811). The River Lee Act 1855 gave the New River Company
and the East London Waterworks Company the right to take the
whole of the Lea water, with the exception of that required
for navigation. An improved cut was made across the King's
Meads, and a new Gauge House (qv), designed by William
Chadwell Mylne (1761-1862) was built in 1856.
(Thames Water: History of the New River: London: 1985-; The
industrial archaeology of the British Isles: Branch Johnson W:
Industrial Archaeology of Hertfordshire: Newton Abbot: 1970-:
97-101 167).

Listing NGR: TL3450313716

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26682808

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

• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014