Perry Bridge
Encyclopedia
Perry Bridge, also known as the Zig Zag Bridge, is a bridge
over the River Tame in Perry Barr
, Birmingham
, England
. Built in 1711, it is said to be the oldest surviving structure in Birmingham. It is a scheduled ancient monument
and a Grade II listed building.
The bridge was built, in the 18th century, of red sandstone in a packhorse
style. It is believed that it is the bridge built by order of the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions, held in 1709, to take the place of a 'wood horse bridge' (Perry Barr was in Staffordshire
until 1928). It is said to have been built by Sir Henry Gough
. A bridge has been on the spot since Roman times as this was the exact spot where Ryknild Street crossed the river, however, today the road is known as Aldridge Road.
References to this crossing go as early as 1509 when there was a mention of a field, named Bridge Meadow, being located near Perry Bridge.
The bridge is 50 metres (164 ft) in length and 4 metres (13 ft) wide. The parapets on each side rise nearly 1 metres (3 ft). It is now open only to pedestrian traffic. It features on the badge of Handsworth Grammar School
.
A replacement bridge, in Art Deco
style, built in 1932, stands alongside.
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
over the River Tame in Perry Barr
Perry Barr
Perry Barr is an inner-city area in north Birmingham, England. It is also a council constituency, managed by its own district committee. The constituency includes the smaller Perry Barr ward and the wards of Handsworth Wood, Lozells and East Handsworth, and Oscott, which elect three councillors to...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Built in 1711, it is said to be the oldest surviving structure in Birmingham. It is a scheduled ancient monument
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
and a Grade II listed building.
The bridge was built, in the 18th century, of red sandstone in a packhorse
Packhorse bridge
A packhorse bridge is a bridge intended to carry packhorses across a river or stream. Typically a packhorse bridge consists of one or more narrow masonry arches, and has low parapets so as not to interfere with the horse's panniers.Packhorse bridges were often built on the trade routes that...
style. It is believed that it is the bridge built by order of the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions, held in 1709, to take the place of a 'wood horse bridge' (Perry Barr was in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
until 1928). It is said to have been built by Sir Henry Gough
Gough-Calthorpe family
The Gough-Calthorpe family is descended from ancient and notable families who both held lands in the area around Birmingham, England.Sir Henry Gough, 1st Baronet, Member of Parliament, was made a Baronet in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom in 1728...
. A bridge has been on the spot since Roman times as this was the exact spot where Ryknild Street crossed the river, however, today the road is known as Aldridge Road.
References to this crossing go as early as 1509 when there was a mention of a field, named Bridge Meadow, being located near Perry Bridge.
The bridge is 50 metres (164 ft) in length and 4 metres (13 ft) wide. The parapets on each side rise nearly 1 metres (3 ft). It is now open only to pedestrian traffic. It features on the badge of Handsworth Grammar School
Handsworth Grammar School
Handsworth Grammar School is voluntary aided grammar school that admits boys from the age of eleven and boys . The school was founded in 1862 and is located in Handsworth, Birmingham, England. it is situated just off the A41, near the junction with the A4040...
.
A replacement bridge, in Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style, built in 1932, stands alongside.