Sunderland Bridge, Croxdale

Sunderland Bridge
County Durham
Sunderland Bridge
Location
Crossing:	River Wear
Location
Grid reference:	NZ265378
Location:	54°44’3"N, 1°35’23"W
Structure
History
Information

Sunderland Bridge is a bridge over the River Wear in County Durham, between meadows on the north bank and on the south a village named from the bridge, Sunderland Bridge and Croxdale. It stands just upstream of the point where the River Browney enters the River Wear, due south of the City of Durham.

The Weardale Way crosses the river here.

This bridge originally carried the Great North Road (now the A1) across the Wear, and probably dates back to the 14th century. It is built of dressed sandstone with four semicircular arches. The bridge has been rebuilt several times. The end arches were rebuilt in 1770, the parapets widened in 1822, and new end walls built in the 19th century. It is a Grade I listed structure.

When a new bridge was needed as the existing bridge was not wide enough to cope with traffic, Croxdale Bridge was built to the east of the existing bridge. The A1 at this point was later re-designated as the A167, and Croxdale Bridge continues to carry this road.

Sunderland Bridge now carries very little road traffic after Durham County Council closed off the old route of the Great North Road at local request. It allows access to the private Croxdale estate and a sewage works. The bridge also forms part of the Weardale Way long-distance footpath.

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