Higher New Bridge, Netherbridge, nr Launceston, Cornwall
N 50° 39.388 W 004° 20.229
30U E 405483 N 5612476
A fine old medieval bridge on A388, two miles north-east of Launceston in Cornwall.
Waymark Code: WM5HBJ
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/08/2009
Views: 7
On 21st August 1504 Bishop Oldham, Bishop of Exeter, granted an indulgence of 40 days to all penitents who contributed money towards the building of Higher New Bridge at Netherbridge. Indulgences also paid for several other bridges across the River Tamar. The bridge was built and maintained by the Abbot of Tavistock Abbey who were major land owners in the area.
The bridge has three main arches with a span of 25 feet with piers of 28 feet from riverbed to bridge parapet. There is a smaller arch on the Cornwall side of the bridge for flood water. The roadway is 11 feet wide. The bridges is much as the builders left it more than 500 years ago.
A new road bridge was built alongside the old bridge about 20 years ago. The old bridge had become a bottleneck on a busy road because it is a single track bridge.
Height of bridge: 28 ft from riverbed to parapet.
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: pedestrians, motor vehicles,
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
River Tamar
Date constructed: Circa 1504
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: No, It has been bypassed by a new bridge alongside
Name of road or trail the bridge services: A388
Location:
Netherbridge nr Launceston, Cornwall
Length of bridge: Not listed
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