Wetherby Bridge
| Wetherby Bridge | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Carries | A661 |
| Crosses | River Wharfe |
| Locale | Wetherby, West Yorkshire |
| Other name(s) | Wetherby Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | arch bridge |
| Material | stone |
| No. of spans | 6 |
| Piers in water | 4 |
| History | |
| Opened | 13th century |
Wetherby Bridge is a scheduled ancient monument and Grade II-listed bridge over the River Wharfe in Wetherby, West Yorkshire dating from the 13th-century. The bridge connects Micklethwaite on the south bank to the town centre on the north. It formerly carried the A1 Great North Road but now carries the A661 Boston Road leading to Boston Spa and the south.
The bridge has 13th-century origins. It was rebuilt in the 17th century and widened twice, first in 1773 and in 1826 to a design by Bernard Hartley. Its repair has been a contentious political issue in the past.
In 1315 Eleanor de Percy petitioned Edward II for pontage for the bridge that she had undertaken to repair for redemption of the soul. An inquisition in York declared that 'nobody' was bound to repair the bridge and in 1316 Eleanor was granted pontage. In 1599 a stone mason complained at quarter session that he was owed £4 13s 4d for its repair. The court ordered that £5 should be levied to pay him. In 1614 at the Knaresborough quarter sessions it was reported that the bridge's pavement had decayed, the court issued a levy of twenty marks to be collected from the Wapentakes of Barkston, Claro and Skyrack to repair the bridge. In 1662 the bridge was described as being 'hazardous to passengers and cattle'; repairs were estimated to cost £260 which was paid from county rates and two Wetherby residents were appointed as surveyors. Issues regarding the bridge were raised at the quarter sessions ten times over the following fifty years and £300 was expended on the its maintenance. The bridge was an important logistical link for the coalfields of Garforth and Kippax to the south of the town and settlements north of the Wharfe. Coal wagons caused the road surface to deteriorate while the fast rising nature of the Wharfe exacerbated structural problems.
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