North Bridge, Hawick

Heritage listing

Category C Date Added 19/08/1977 Supplementary Information Updated 18/11/2008 Local Authority Scottish Borders Planning Authority Scottish Borders Burgh Hawick NGR NT 50426 15157 Coordinates 350426, 615157 — John & Thomas Smith of Darnick, 1832; widened 1882. 2 segmental arches across River Teviot with central panelled pilaster above curved 'beehive' cutwater. Yellow sandstone: bull-faced base; polished ashlar voussoirs, pilaster and parapet; squared elsewhere. Band course; chamfered ashlar cope to parapet. — An elegantly proportioned 19th century stone bridge in a prominent position approaching the centre of Hawick from the North. Originally comprising four arches and named 'New Bridge', it was funded by the Turnpike Trustees, and made possible the construction of a new trunk road: prior to its existence there had only been one other similar crossing of the Teviot, in the west of the town. In 1882 it was widened to assist traffic flow; the work cost £1,300, of which the Town Council contributed £500 and the North British Rail Company donated £25. At this time the corrugated iron parapets were removed and the width of the present pavement was added to each arch. The reinforcements now visible beneath each of the remaining arches reflect the original width of the bridge prior to this work. The north and south arches were later filled in during the making-up of the lower levels to meet the main street. The bridge continued to carry the main road to Edinburgh until 2000, when it was pedestrianised in preparation for the opening of a new traffic bridge several metres downstream to the east in April the following year. The bridge's architect-builders, the brothers John and Thomas Smith, were highly regarded by Sir Walter Scott and other local gentry. They continued the pract

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.