Summary

Fittleworth Bridge South, 105m south 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 16th century multi-span bridge situated over the River Rother at Lower Fittleworth.

The bridge has three arches constructed of ashlar with a stone parapet and coping. The central arch is round-headed and has been raised above those on each side which are pointed. There are cutwaters between the arches and at each end on the east side. The bridge was partly rebuilt between 1717 and 1739 and the centre arch was raised 1791. It was widened in 1964. A short distance to the north 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 South survives well with a significant amount of 18th century masonry work.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
West Sussex HER 2330 - MWS3356. NMR TQ01NW27. PastScape 393042. LBS 300514

Source: Historic England