Summary

Fittleworth Bridge North, 44m south-east of Fittleworth Mill.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 29 October 2014. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes a multi-span bridge, north of the River Rother at Lower Fittleworth.
The bridge has two semi-circular arches and a red brick parapet with stone coping over, dating from 1811-12. The bridge narrows in the centre where both parapets are incurved. There are stepped cutwaters on each side. It was widened in 1964 and repaired in the late 20th century.

A short distance to the south, crossing the Rother, is another multi-span bridge; collectively they are known as Fittleworth Bridge.

It is Grade II listed.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Multi-span bridges are structures of two or more arches supported on piers. They were constructed for the use of pedestrians and packhorse or vehicular traffic, crossing rivers or streams, often replacing or supplementing earlier fords. Stone or brick bridges constructed from the medieval period onwards were built with pointed, semicircular or segmental arches.

The bridge abutments and revetting of the river banks also form part of the bridge. The theory and practice of masonry construction for bridges reached a high point in the 18th century. After this time increasing demand led to quicker builds with the adoption of iron bridges and later metal truss and suspension bridges.

Despite some 20th century alterations and repairs, Fittleworth Bridge North survives well with a significant amount of early 19th century masonry work.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
West Sussex HER 2330 - MWS3356. NMR TQ 01 NW 27. PastScape 393042. LBS 300514

Source: Historic England