Geograph - photograph every grid square

A stone at the south end of the bridge declares it to be a bridle bridge erected in 1870 by Theophania Blackett, though then makes it clear that this was not a personal task, but one Thomas Dyke Esq., Civil Engineer, was the contractor. It seems to have been a time when the infrastructure of the area was in rapid development, as a walk in the area shows many of the buildings to have stones inscribed with building dates in the late 1860's and early 1870's. The bridge seems to have withstood the test of time fairly well - a few cables are loose in its side fencing, but the flimsy-looking supporting piers seem not to have been hit by any large trees floating down - something that seems remarkable on this winter day with the river swollen by snowmelt. Marks on the bank indicate that it has recently been nearly a metre higher, helping to spread the seeds of giant hogweed downstream.