English Bridge

The English Bridge is a masonry arch viaduct, crossing the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The present bridge is a 1926 rebuilding and widening (re-using the original masonry) of John Gwynn's design, completed in 1774. A bridge is known to have stood at this spot since at least Norman times. Historically, it was known as the "Stone Bridge". It is a Grade II* listed building.

The original Norman bridge consisted of five arches and a timber causeway. A large tower stood on the East bank, housing a gate and a drawbridge. The bridge also supported several shops and houses. Building work on Gwynn's replacement bridge started on 29 June 1769, and comprised seven semicircular arches, 400 feet (120 m) long. This bridge cost £16,000. The 55-foot (17 m) span central arch was built high, to provide headroom to watercraft, but this resulted in steep approaches.

As a result, a new design was put forward in 1921 by Arthur W. Ward, the Borough Surveyor. This lowered all the arches, converting the central one into a segmental arch, reducing the height of the roadway by 5 feet (1.5 m). The new bridge was to be 50 feet (15 m) wide, more than twice as wide as Gwynn's structure (of 23 and a half feet width). It cost £86,000 and was formally opened on 26 October 1927 by Queen Mary, although it had been completed the previous year. Ward's bridge reused the old masonry, each stone carefully numbered, as well as a quantity of new stonework. Concrete was used to 'saddle' the arches and in the foundations.

English Bridge (Saint Petersburg)

English Bridge (Russian: Английский мост) is a pedestrian bridge across Fontanka River connecting Pokrovsky and Anonymous islands in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

History

Five span wooden bridge existed at the location since 1910. It took the traffic load previously carried by Egyptian Bridge after the latter collapsed in 1905.

Modern bridge was built in 1962-1963 to the designs of architects Areshev and Vasilkovsky under the supervision of engineer Kerlikov. The construction is a three span bridge set on ferroconcrete abutments with granite cover. Metal railings have a simple pattern.

The bridge takes its name from the nearby English Prospekt.

References

Coordinates: 59°54′57″N 30°17′28″E / 59.91583°N 30.29111°E / 59.91583; 30.29111