More information : [SD 55252868] Old Bridge (Site of) [T.I.] (1)
Ribble Old Bridge, Preston. "A bridge is mentioned in an old boundary
deed quoted in a verdict given in the 9th Henry III. In this reign
letters patent were granted for the "pontage of the river Ribble,
juxta Preston" and afterwards for the paviage of the bridge.(a)
Leland describes the structure as "the great stone bridge of Rybill
having V great arches" and Keurden as one of the statelyest bridges
in the north of England"...The present bridge which is about
fifty yards above the old one was completed in 1782." (2)
"In the year 1400 the bridge over the Ribble [at Preston] was so
broken by floods...that there was 'no crossing or access'...A new
stone bridge was built in consequence but...was not finished in 1407.
(3)
Ribble Bridge, Preston. "Leland described it as having 'V
great arches, and an early eighteenth-century engraving of the
bridge showed that four of the arches were pointed and one
four-centred. The Patent Rolls for the year 1403 record a grant of
pontage 'in aid of the construction of a stone bridge by the
bridge of Ribell by Preston which had been broken by floods and
ice'...The old bridge which was probably built of timber, was
evidently still in use as a later grant [in 1407] was for 'the repair
of the old bridge and for building a new one near to it'. The
present one, now called Walton Bridge...was built in 1781. (4)
In answer to their petition, pontage for five years was granted
in 1302 to the bailiffs and good men of 'WALTON-IN-LA-DALE' for
building and repairing the bridges of RIBBLE and DERWENT. A similar
grant for two years was made to the commonalty of BLACKBURNSHIRE
in 1339 for the repair of RIBBLE Bridge. Again in 1400 pontage
was renewed for 3 years and in 1403 for a similar period, for the
repair of RIBBLE bridge. An oratory or chapel on the bank of the
RIBBLE on the WALTON side, 'at the end of RIBBLE bridge' is
mentioned in 1365 [SD 52 NE 12] (5)
The bridge stood about 90 yards below the present one. Up to 1755
it was the only bridge over the RIBBLE near PRESTON ... and was
probably built in 1625. A stone bearing in relief P.B. 1625 (PRESTON
BRIDGE 1625) is near the end of the wall which runs along the river
edge. It was preceded by a bridge described by LELAND.
A portion of one of the piers near the centre of the river
remained until 1867 when it was demolished. (6)
No remains of the early bridges are now to be seen, nor can the
date-stone noted by authority 6 be located. (7)
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