Perry Bridge,also known as theZig Zag Bridge,is abridgeover theRiver TameinPerry Barr,Birmingham,England.Built in 1711, it is a Grade IIlisted building[1]and aScheduled monument.[2][3]
Perry Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 52°31′31″N1°53′50″W/ 52.52534°N 1.89711°W |
| 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 |
| Location | |
 | |
The bridge is constructed of red sandstone in apackhorsestyle. It is believed that it is the bridge built by order of theStaffordshire Quarter Sessions,held in 1709, to take the place of a 'wood horse bridge' (Perry Barr was inStaffordshireuntil 1928). It is said to have been built by SirHenry Goughof nearbyPerry Hall.[4]A crossing has been on the spot since Roman times as this was the exact spot whereRyknild Street(today's Aldridge Road) crossed the river, giving rise to the local placename, "Holford".[5]A stream, "Holbrook", joins the river adjacent to the bridge.
Written evidence of this crossing date back to as early as 1509 when there was mention of a field, named "Bridge Meadow", being located nearby.[6]
The bridge is 50 feet (15 m) in length and 13 feet (4 m) wide.[7]The parapets on each side rise nearly 3 feet (1 m). It is now open only to pedestrian traffic. It appears in the badge ofHandsworth Grammar School.
A replacement bridge, inArt Decostyle, built in 1932, stands alongside, and carries vehicular traffic on the route.
References
edit- ^Historic England."Details from listed building database (1219667)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved29 April2007.
- ^Historic England."Details from listed building database (1002980)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved24 August2014.
- ^"Birmingham's Scheduled Ancient Monuments".Birmingham City Council.Retrieved24 August2014.
- ^The Story of Erdington: From Sleepy Hamlet to Thriving Suburb,Douglas V. Jones, 1985, Westwood Press Publications (ISBN0948025050)
- ^Chinn, Carl (9 February 2008)."The mystery manor of Witton unearthed".Birmingham Mail.
- ^Birmingham Faces and Places (1891)(Volume 3)
- ^"Birmingham City Council: Perry Bridge".Archived fromthe originalon 30 September 2007.
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