Chetwynd Bridge

The bridge is believed to be the largest surviving pre-1830 cast-iron bridge in England and the second-largest in the world. The bridge is a Grade II* listed building, first listed in 1953, a status which provides legal protection from demolition or unauthorised modification. A weight limit of 18 t was imposed to prevent further deterioration, which was later reduced to 7.5 t. In 2023, barriers were installed to prevent large vehicles from using the bridge after concerns that many heavy vehicles were ignoring signs warning of the restriction. As of 2023, the council planned to build a new bridge and bypass road to divert vehicle traffic and reserve Chetwynd Bridge for pedestrians and…

The bridge was built in 1824. It has three segmental arches spanning the river, supported by rusticated ashlar pillars. The spandrels (the space between the arch and the bridge deck) have decorative X-shaped latticework. The abutments sweep round to form buttresses; the intermediate piers are in a similar style. The two outside spans are 65 ft wide and the central span is 75 ft. The bridge is oriented roughly north–south and the northernmost span is over dry land. The bridge was designed by Joseph Potter, a local architect and builder and the county surveyor for Staffordshire. Potter likely learnt to build with cast iron while working under Thomas Telford, including on the Harecastle…