Victoria Bridge, Stockton-on-Tees

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Victoria Jubilee Bridge
County Durham, Yorkshire

Victoria Bridge over the river Tees
Location
Carrying: Bridge Road (A1130)
Crossing: River Tees
Location
Grid reference: NZ44921834
Location: 54°33’30"N, 1°18’25"W
Structure
Length: 340 feet
Main span: 110 feet
Design: Wrought iron arch
Material: Wrought and cast iron,
stone and concrete
History
Built =1887
Information

The Victoria Jubilee Bridge, also known as Victoria Bridge, is a road bridge carrying Bridge Road (A1130) east west across the River Tees between Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham and Thornaby-on-Tees in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

Commonly referred to as the Victoria Bridge, it is located just south-east of Stockton town centre.

The bridge was constructed between 1882 and 1887 under the authority of a private Act of Parliament in 1881; built by Whitaker Brothers of Leeds,[1][2][3]

The bridge was financed by the local council, a tramway company, North East Railways and by the water board,[3] and its name commemorates the 50th year of the reign of Queen Victoria.[3][4]

History

Before the existence of a bridge at this location communication was provided by Bishop's Ferry.

The first bridge was a five arch Stockton (stone) Bridge completed in 1771, designed by Joseph Robson of Sunderland.[1][3][4][5] This replaced Yarm Bridge as the lowest bridge point on the River Tees and was toll free by 1820.[6]

Design

The design is a wrought-iron arch bridge by Charles Neate and consulting engineer Harrison Haytor.[1][2][3]

The foundations of the abutments and piers are five cylindrical columns, 40 feet deep and 14 feet in diameter.[1] The abutments are faced with granite and sandstone and are filled in with large stone rubble.[5]

The bridge has three arches, or which the centre arch is 110 feet, while the side arches are 85 feet.[5]

The road is 40 feet wide and the pavement 10 feet.[7]

The balustrades are cast iron with an open design of interlocking circles, and on the parapets are ornamental cast-iron lampposts carrying modern lights while the spandrels are open cast-iron work with a design of diminishing interlocking circles.[2]

At either side of the bridge are land-based arches that are currently impassable on the upriver side. These were designed to allow horse-drawn barges to pass under the bridge.

Pictures

{{commons|

The view over the bridge roadway
The view over the bridge roadway  
The view from the east bank
The view from the east bank  
A commemorative plaque on the bridge.
A commemorative plaque on the bridge.  

Outside links

References


Bridges and crossings on the River Tees
Jubilee Bridge Surtees Bridge Surtees Rail Bridge Victoria Bridge Millennium Footbridge Princess of Wales Bridge Infinity Bridge