Perry Bridge
| Perry Bridge | |
| Staffordshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Carrying: | Now only pedestrian |
| Crossing: | River Tame |
| Location | |
| Location: | 52°31’31"N, 1°53’50"W |
| Structure | |
| Length: | 50 ft |
| History | |
| Built 1711 | |
| Information | |
Perry Bridge, also known as the Zig Zag Bridge, is a bridge over the River Tame in Perry Barr, Birmingham. Built in 1711, it is a Grade-II listed building[1] and a Scheduled monument.[2][3]
The bridge was built, in the 18th century, of red sandstone in a packhorse style. It is believed that it is the bridge built by order of the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions, held in 1709, to take the place of a 'wood horse bridge'. It is said to have been built by Sir Henry Gough.[4] A crossing has been on the spot since Roman times as this was the exact spot where Ryknild Street (today's Aldridge Road) crossed the river, giving rise to the local placename, "Holford".[5] A stream, "Holbrook", joins the river adjacent to the bridge.
Written evidence of this crossing date back to as early as 1509 when there was mention of a field, named "Bridge Meadow", being located nearby.[6]
The bridge is 50 ft in length and 15 ft wide. The parapets on each side rise nearly 3 ft. It is now open only to pedestrian traffic. It appears in the badge of Handsworth Grammar School.
A replacement bridge, in Art Deco style, built in 1932, stands alongside, and carries vehicular traffic on the route.
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1219667: Perry Bridge
- ↑ National Heritage List 1002980: Perry Bridge
- ↑ "Birmingham's Scheduled Ancient Monuments". Birmingham City Council. http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/archaeologysam. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- ↑ The Story of Erdington: From Sleepy Hamlet to Thriving Suburb, Douglas V. Jones, 1985, Westwood Press Publications (ISBN 0948025050)
- ↑ Chinn, Carl (9 February 2008). "The mystery manor of Witton unearthed.". Birmingham Mail. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+mystery+manor+of+Witton+unearthed-a0174424527.
- ↑ Birmingham Faces and Places (1891) (Volume 3)
