RYEFORD BRIDGE

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Overview

Accommodation bridge over canal. Constructed circa 1779 and widened in about 1833, by the Stroudwater Canal Company. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1172000
Date first listed:: 24-Feb-1987
List Entry Name:: RYEFORD BRIDGE
Statutory Address:: RYEFORD BRIDGE

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Date:: 1999-08-23
Reference:: IOE01/00686/28
Rights:: © Mr JM Weager. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1172000
Date first listed:: 24-Feb-1987
Date of most recent amendment:: 22-Jul-2011
List Entry Name:: RYEFORD BRIDGE
Statutory Address 1:: RYEFORD BRIDGE

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: RYEFORD BRIDGE

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Gloucestershire
District:: Stroud (District Authority)
Parish:: Stonehouse
National Grid Reference:: SO8134204621

Summary

Accommodation bridge over canal. Constructed circa 1779 and widened in about 1833, by the Stroudwater Canal Company.

Reasons for Designation

Ryeford Bridge is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Historic interest: as a late-C18 structure on the Stroudwater Canal and for its widening in the early C19 which provides evidence for its historical development Group value: it forms a strong group with other canal-related buildings that are listed and also with the Grade II listed Ryeford House to the north-west

History

The Stroudwater Navigation, built in 1775-9, was designed to link the River Severn at Framilode to Stroud, allowing coal to be brought from Shropshire, Staffordshire and the Forest of Dean to the textile mills of the Stroud valleys. The Thames and Severn Canal, constructed in 1783-9, was designed to run eastwards from Stroud, eventually linking the River Severn to the River Thames at Inglesham, near Lechlade. The Cotswold Canals, as they are also known, were generally successful, though the Thames and Severn in particular suffered serious technical failings which compromised its profitability; despite this, both canals continued in use well into the C20.

Ryeford Bridge was constructed in circa 1779 by the Stroudwater Canal Company. It is situated on a historic route running north to south between Stonehouse and Kings Stanley. In 1833 the Canal Company widened the canal bridge following difficulties experienced by vehicle traffic due to the narrowness of both the bridge and the adjacent lane.

Details

MATERIALS: it is built mostly handmade red bricks, with coursed and dressed limestone to the west face.

DESCRIPTION: this is a single-span bridge with a semi-circular arched opening. The west side is of coursed limestone up to the inclined stone band, above which is a brick parapet with plain stone coping that appears to have been rebuilt in the second half of the C20. The opposing face is of brick with a flush keystone that cuts through the projecting drip mould, and a brick parapet. The underside of the structure, where the different phases of construction are clearly visible, is also of brick. The wing walls are gently curved and terminate in plain pilasters surmounted by pyramidal caps.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 132066
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Brooks, A, Verey, D, The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire II - The Vale and the Forest of Dean, (2003), 704
Tucker, J, The Stroudwater Navigation, (2003), 126-30

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.