Cauldwell Bridge (Bedford)
DEMOLISHED in 1992
1884 'OPENING OF THE NEW BRIDGE AT SCHOOL AT BEDFORD.
Tuesday will be a day long remembered in the Borough of Bedford, when the new bridge, which spans the River Ouse, not far from the Midland Railway station and the new extension to the Grammar School of the Harpur Trust, were formally opened with civic ceremony .... [lengthy list of men-only bigwigs, and local organisations] .... Previously there was but one bridge connecting the two banks of the river namely, that in High-street, which was erected some 70 years since. The new structure will prove a very great convenience to the town (though its erection was strongly opposed for a long time by an Anti-Bridge Committee), and will considerably shorten the distance between the Midland and London and North-Western Stations. .... The bridge has been built from the designs of Mr. J. J. Webster, A.M.I.C.E., Liverpool. Messrs. Goddard and Massey, of Nottingham, contracted for the iron-work at £3,150; and Messrs. Pilling and Co., of Manchester, for the stone-work, approaches, and everything not included in the iron-work, at £3,657. There is every reason to believe that the whole has been thoroughly well and substantially executed. Mr. H. Mottram acted as Clerk for the works throughout, and Mr. N. Mountain as manager for Messrs Pilling and Co.; both have discharged their duties in an able and faithful manner. Mr. Prosser was foreman over the iron-work. The result of all their efforts is strong, commodious, and beautiful bridge. Not only is it handsome, but the view from the structure, looking towards the Shire Hall, is exceedingly attractive. The old stone bridge is hidden by the south bank and the buildings upon it, though if it were visible the scene would be rather enhanced than detracted from, for Bedford bridge is far from being an unsightly object. Anoter noteworthy feature is the width of the stream, this having received considerable addition during the progress of the work. The bridge consists of three segmental arches, the central one being 76 feet between the centres of the piers, and the two outer arches 62 feet each from the abutments to the centre of the opoosite pier; making a total length for the bridge of 200 feet between the faces of the north and south abutments. The length of the south approach is 560 feet; on the east side it is bounded by handsome retaining wall of buff Shefford bricks and coping, and on the west by a closed wooden fence, painted white. The north approach is 520 feet long, finished on each side with slopes, surmounted the open wood and iron fence which protects the road. The fall on the north aide is 1 in 76, and on the south 1 in 127. The width of the bridge is 35 feet between the parapets, and the causeways are 7 feet wide, leaving a roadway of 21 feet. The approaches are 40 feet wide, with causeways of eight feet each, so that, the roadway is 24 feet wide. The abutments and piers are founded on the rock, which was reached by an excavation 14 feet deep on the north bank, and 13 feet on the south, measuring from the surface of the neighbouring land. Each span between the piers consists of six wrought iron ribs, braced together and covered with a corrugated iron flooring. The spandrels left by the curved ribs are filled with ornamental castings, the plates having trifoliate perforations, surrounded by mouldings. The parapet consists of stone pillars over the piers and abutments, and the space between is filled in with ornamental iron plates of similar pattern to those forming the spandrels. The whole effect is very pleasing, combining, as it does, a certain amount of lightness with a substantial appearance. .....'. 150 'noblemen and gentlemen' were invited to the celebratory luncheon by the Mayor.[1]
The bridge was replaced by the new County Bridge in 1992[2]