Description

WORCESTER

SO85SW0 MALVERN ROAD, Lower Wick
620-1/3/676 Bridge over River Teme
18/08/99 (that part within the City
of Worcester)

GV II

Bridge. 1837. To a design by William Capper of Birmingham.
Contractors for stonework, Mr Faville of Harrogate, for ironwork,
Mr Yates of Birmingham. Red sandstone abutments of coursed
ashlar. Central span in cast-iron. Abutments are pierced to right
and left of main span over the river to provide through-passage
for people/livestock and the relief of flood water. The stonework
is of three main sections, plinth, main wall, and parapet
separated by moulded string course incorporating a pendant motif
moulded into the course of ashlar beneath each string. The
stonework is terminated at each end (8 positions) by octagonal
piers with engaged columns to each vertical arris. The main span
comprises seven similar parallel castings composed of a
horizontal element carrying the roadway with a supporting arched
element below, the spandrels infilled with lattice-work; the
centre of each external arch member carries a shield bearing the
City Coat of Arms. The parapet above is of vertical railings of
square cross-section, each pair linked at the top to form ogee
arches: At centre span is an octagonal column with castellated
cap; the railing motif is incorporated into each face of the
column casting which also carries the date 1837. The side
openings in the abutments are supported by similar, although
smaller castings to those in the main span but to a four-centre
arch design rather than the single/two-centre arch used
centrally. Historical Notes: "The Trustees of Worcester Turnpikes
accepted the tender of Mr Faville of Harrowgate for the stonework
for the buttresses etc. of the new iron bridge over the River
Teme at Powick. The present bridge will remain for use by
occupants of the Mill. The new bridge will be placed
approximately 100 yards downstream, the road from the City being
altered to lead to it starting between Mr Smith's farm at Wick
and The Lion public house and entering the old line again near
the brickworks on Lower Ham. The bridge will consist of one arch
of 70 foot span and will be 32 feet wide (10 feet wider than the
Worcester Bridge) allowing ample space each side for foot
passengers. Work to commence forthwith and be completed by the
end of the year. Mr Faville will use Arley stone and Mr Yates of
Birmingham is the contractor for the ironwork at ,2020, the total
cost will be ,6020." ('Herald' May 21st. 1836.) Originally the
eight turrets of the bridge had 'gothic' domes on them, removed
after a lorry knocked one off in 1950. Part of this bridge lies
in the parish of Powick, Worcestershire. (Morriss R: The
Buildings of Worcester: Stroud: 1994-: 110; Buildings of England:
Pevsner N: Worcestershire: Harmondsworth: 1968-1985: 246; Old
Worcester - People and Places: Gwilliam H W: Old Worcester -
People and Places: Worcester: 1977: 124).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26669414

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.

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