Monument record MDO6986 - Hurst Bridge, Affpuddle

One of three bridges built in 1834 as part of a scheme involving the diversion of the river and the creation of a water meadow system. Built in 1834 Hurst Bridges comprise three separate bridges over the River Frome and tributaries in Affpuddle and Moreton parishes. The middle bridge is of six spans. They are all brick-built with Portland stone cutwaters and copings and were constructed in 1834 as part of a scheme involving the diversion of the river and the building of a causeway over the water meadows. The arches are segmental and between them are piers with rounded cutwaters. In the centre of the two longer bridges is a wider pier with a large triangular cutwater at each end, continued up to parapet level and forming a refuge. The ends of the parapet walls curve outwards and are finished with small brick piers. The north and middle bridges have been partly demolished and replaced with modern structures.

Recommended 'most worthy of preservation'. <2>

SY 795 905 Hurst South Bridge is an eight-arch brick bridge built in 1834 and scheduled as an Ancient Monument. The centre cutwaters are V-shaped and are carried up to form refuges, whilst the other cutwater are of rounded stone. Considerable lengths of the parapets have had to be rebuilt in recent times and there is very little of the original parapets left now except the copings. <3>

SY 795905 Hurst Bridge, Moreton. Scheduled. <4>

No change. Name 'Hurst Bridges' confirmed locally. Published 1:2500 correct. See ground photograph. <5>

(SY 79539058) The southernmost of the three Hurst Bridges is the one scheduled. <6>

The northern two span bridge was partly demolished during the 1970s, widened and replaced with a modern structure. The historic parts are restricted to the lower arches and cutwaters only. The bridge is not recommended for scheduling. <6>

The middle bridge was partly demolished during the 1970s, widened and replaced with a modern structure. The historic parts of the bridge are restricted to arches and cutwaters only. The bridge is not recommended for scheduling. <6>

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1963 (Map). SWX1540.

(Centred SY 796906) Hurst Bridges (NAT)

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 1, 4 (Monograph). SDO148.

‘(2) HURST BRIDGES, three, including one in Moreton parish (3), over the river Frome and tributaries, are of brick with Portland stone cutwaters and copings and with footings of Ridgeway flagstone (Plate 34). They were built in 1834 as part of a scheme involving the diversion of the river and the construction of a causeway over the water meadows; the money was raised by subscription and the total cost of the project was £1,192. 3s. (diary of James Frampton II; statement of account in possession of Cdr. R. H. C. F. Frampton). The contract for the bridges, which were built by George and William Slade, stonemasons of Dorchester, was in the sum of £795. The plans and specifications were prepared by William Evans, County Surveyor (D.C.C., 8 May 1834, and D.C.R.O.).
The S. bridge, in Moreton, crossing the main stream, is of eight spans; the middle bridge (796906) is of six spans, and the third, 125 yds. further N.E., of only two.
The arches are segmental and between them are piers with rounded cutwaters, straight-sided and finished with rounded tops level with the apices of the arches. In the middle of the two longer bridges is a wider pier with a large triangular cutwater at each end continued up to parapet level and forming a refuge. The ends of the parapet walls curve outwards and are finished with small brick piers.’

<3> Wallis, A J, 1974, Dorset Bridges, 38, 65 (Monograph). SDO17814.

<4> Department of the Environment, 1977, Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monuments of England (Vol 1), 84 (Monograph). SWX2598.

<5> Barton, J G, Various, Field Investigators Comments JGB, F1 JGB 04-DEC-80 (Unpublished document). SDO11900.

<6> English Heritage, English Heritage Alternative Action Report (Scheduling record). SDO18279.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 454917 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 10 2024 5:39PM