Perry Bridge

Perry Bridge
Coordinates 52°31′31″N 1°53′50″W / 52.52534°N 1.89711°W / 52.52534; -1.89711Coordinates: 52°31′31″N 1°53′50″W / 52.52534°N 1.89711°W / 52.52534; -1.89711
Carries Now only pedestrian
Crosses River Tame
Locale Perry Barr, Birmingham, England
Maintained by Birmingham City Council
Characteristics
Total length 50 metres (164 ft)
Width 4 metres (13 ft)
History
Construction end 1711

Perry Bridge, also known as the Zig Zag Bridge, is a bridge over the River Tame in Perry Barr, Birmingham, England. Built in 1711, it is a Grade II listed building[1] and a Scheduled monument.[2][3]

The bridge was built, in the 18th century, of red sandstone in a packhorse style. It is believed that it is the bridge built by order of the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions, held in 1709, to take the place of a 'wood horse bridge' (Perry Barr was in Staffordshire until 1928). It is said to have been built by Sir Henry Gough.[4] A bridge has been on the spot since Roman times as this was the exact spot where Ryknild Street crossed the river, however, today the road is known as Aldridge Road.

References to this crossing go as early as 1509 when there was a mention of a field, named Bridge Meadow, being located near Perry Bridge.[5]

The bridge is 50 metres (164 ft) in length and 4 metres (13 ft) wide. The parapets on each side rise nearly 1 metre (3 ft). It is now open only to pedestrian traffic. It features on the badge of Handsworth Grammar School.

A replacement bridge, in Art Deco style, built in 1932, stands alongside, and carries vehicular traffic on the route.

References

  1. ↑ Historic England. "Details from image database (216726)". Images of England.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1002980)". National Heritage List for England.
  3. ↑ "Birmingham's Scheduled Ancient Monuments". Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. ↑ The Story of Erdington: From Sleepy Hamlet to Thriving Suburb, Douglas V. Jones, 1985, Westwood Press Publications (ISBN 0948025050)
  5. ↑ Birmingham Faces and Places (1891) (Volume 3)


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