Rode Bridge

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Overview

Road bridge, probably built around 1777 for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1175476
Date first listed:: 16-Nov-1984
List Entry Name:: Rode Bridge

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Date:: 2003-06-21
Reference:: IOE01/09408/35
Rights:: © Mr David Wood. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1175476
Date first listed:: 16-Nov-1984
Date of most recent amendment:: 21-Sep-2018
List Entry Name:: Rode Bridge
Location Description:: The bridge spans the River Frome at Rode Hill to the north-west of Rode, Frome, Somerset

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

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

District:: Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Rode
District:: Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Tellisford
National Grid Reference:: ST8022654317

Summary

Road bridge, probably built around 1777 for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust.

Reasons for Designation

Rode Bridge is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* it is a well-constructed multi-span road bridge with semi-circular arches, a triangular cutwater and neat details.

Historic interest:

* as a former toll bridge for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust and testament to the wave of road improvements which facilitated the transport needs of this part of Somerset in the second half of the C18.

History

Rode Bridge is a multi-span road bridge crossing the River Frome which appears to have been built around 1777 and may have replaced an earlier bridge mentioned in a C17 document. It is situated on the road between Woolverton and Rode which was turnpiked in 1773 and was originally a toll bridge for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust. The Trust was established in 1752 and was responsible for the roads leading south from Bath towards Warminster, along with a branch from Frome. The centre line of the River Frome defined the county boundary between Somerset and Wiltshire until 1937 and a small boulder set into the deck of the bridge marks the county division. It also has a parish boundary stone for North Bradley and Road (the pre-1919 spelling of Rode).

Details

Road bridge, probably built around 1777 for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust.

MATERIALS: constructed of dressed rubble, possibly Doulting stone, with ashlar coping; some replaced with concrete.

DESCRIPTION: the bridge spans the River Frome and is orientated north-west to south-east. It comprises a causeway at either end, four semi-circular flood arches and two main semi-circular arches. The main arches have double voussoirs; the upper one breaks forwards, and impost bands. The upstream (south-west) side, which has some roughcast render, has a full-height, triangular cutwater which supports a corbelled-out refuge. The parapet walls show evidence of some rebuilding and have ashlar coping stones, though some have been replaced with cast concrete. The south-east end of the downstream parapet is splayed. Within the refuge is an upright parish boundary stone which is inscribed NORTH BRADLEY/ROAD (the pre-1919 spelling of Rode; right corner missing). There is also a small county boundary stone which is set into the floor of the bridge.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:: 267355
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Websites
Black Dog (Bath and Warminster) Turnpike Trust , accessed 14 June 2018 from http://www.turnpikes.org.uk/Somerset%20-%20Black%20Dog.htm
Somerset Rivers Authority flood works benefit river, bridge and pub., accessed 14 June 2018 from http://www.somersetriversauthority.org.uk/news/news-stories/sra-flood-works-benefit-river-frome-rode-bridge-the-mill-at-rode/
The Somerset County Environment Record, 24251: Rode Bridge, Rode , accessed 14 June 2018 from https://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/24251

Legal

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