Geograph - photograph every grid square

Eals Bridge is a fine old two-arch stone bridge (grade II listed) over the South Tyne, built in 1733, which at one time formed part of the most practical road route from Alston to Haltwhistle. However, its narrow width (3 m) and difficult approaches meant that it was not suitable for replacement bus services when closure of the South Tyne railway was proposed. As a result, closure of the line was deferred until 1976 when a new road bridge below Coanwood was built. The bridge deck was widened in a somewhat ugly manner, as can be clearly seen in this photo, during the 1970s.