Summary
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 12/10/2016
Reasons for Designation
Long Load Bridge is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:
History
A multi-span bridge was constructed over the River Yeo at Long Load in the C15. Records from quarter sessions hearings in Wells report an unspecified amount of damage to the bridge caused by the Civil War, and in 1649 an application was made for funds for repair. A record from 1676 states the bridge to be ‘greatly broken and decayed’, so it is assumed that repairs, which involved the complete rebuilding of the central arch, took place after that date. In 1814 iron railings replaced a stone parapet, and the bridge was widened at a cost of £452; the plain west side is likely to have been rebuilt at this point. In 1985 replacement steel railings and coping were installed.
Details
A multi-span bridge originating in the C15 with later partial rebuilding and alteration; it is constructed of local lias with Ham stone dressings, and brick and coursed stone to the upper sections. The bridge, orientated north to south, spans the River Yeo north of Long Load village, connecting that, and Long Sutton parishes.
It has five arches, the outer four of which are segmental pointed, with a wider and taller segmental arch to the centre. The eastern, upstream side has stout cut-water piers between the double-chamfered arches; the western side is plain, with a single chamfer to the arches. It has dressed stone coping and steel railings with curved vertical fixtures.
The span terminates with squat, square, stone-capped piers adjoining low walls. To the south west is a narrow flight of stone steps providing access to the water. Stones are stacked in diagonal courses forming a revetment to the south-west bank; the north-west bank has a wall of roughly coursed lias stone with lime stone coping.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
419377
Legacy System:
LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
End of official list entry
