See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

The Barnstaple to Ilfracombe railway was carried over the River Taw on a curving iron bridge which once stood just to the north of Long Bridge. The line closed in 1970 and the bridge was demolished in 1976-1977.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS53SE/83

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• RAILWAY BRIDGE (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Curving railway bridge across the Taw depicted on 1880s-1890s 25 inch Ordnance Survey map.

Bone, M., 1973, Barnstaple's Industrial Archaeology, 11 (Monograph). SDV78228.

The iron railway bridge carried the line from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe which was closed in 1970. It was built by the Barnstaple and Ilfracombe Railway, a subsidiary of the London and South Western Railway. The line finally opened in 1874 after many problems. The bridge is notable for its sharp curvature to the northern end where the old Barnstaple Quay Station was situated.

ASI Heritage Consultants, 2000, Leaderflush and Shapland Site, Barnstaple: Archaeological Assessment (Report - Assessment). SDV70999.

Unknown, 23/09/1976, Unknown (Article in Serial). SDV76160.

The railway bridge which opened in 1870 is (September 1976) to be demolished shortly.

Timms, S. C., 24/11/1982, Iron Railway Bridge (Personal Comment). SDV350431.

The bridge was demolished in 1976-1977 by the County Council. No known record of the bridge was made prior to demolition.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.