Bridges On The Tyne

HEXHAM BRIDGE

"Hexham had troubled times with bridges over the Tyne in the c 18."

The Buildings Of England, Northumberland. N Pevsner. 1992


This is a bridge which has seen several re-buildings. The first (1756) design by John Smeaton was not built, but a 1770 bridge designed by William Gott was destroyed in the following year's floods. Another Smeaton design, further downriver, opened in 1781 and lasted until 1782. The present bridge of 1793, built to the earlier unused Smeaton design by Robert Mylne, has done rather better. The repeated failures of these bridges did little for the self-confidence of their builders.

There may have been a bridge at Hexham in the thirteenth century and there certainly were ferries. The Grade 2 listed bridge links Hexham with the A69 trunk road and with the North Tyne valley and is set in attractive country, with the small Broomhaugh Island downstream. Hexham is a pleasant and busy market town with an ancient Abbey, Moot Hall and prison. The railway station on the Newcastle and Carlisle line is not far from the bridge and there are attractive walks in the vicinity.


 Hexham Bridge Facts


Constructed - 1793
Type - arch, 9 segmental spans, stone.
Position: Hexham, Northumberland.
Grid Ref: NY 941 646
 Hexham Bridge



© Bridges On The Tyne 2006