Category: River Exe Structures

Bridge Name: Exebridge Bridge
No.: 34 
Location: SS 92987 24452
Build Date: Erected in C18 on site of earlier bridge
Engineer:

Description:

Road bridge over River Exe on county boundary. Erected in C18 on site of earlier bridge, repaired 1829 by John Stone, altered c1853, parapets rebuilt or extended mid -late C20. Random rubble local stone rubble voussoirs, saddleback coping of slate stone set on end. Three arch span, semi-circular headed arches, low pointed cutwater on down-stream side, set on raised plinths on upstream side; parapet continued as wall for about 25 m and 16 m respectively on north bank (Somerset), south bank (Devon) parapet continued as wall for 19 m and 28 m respectively; coping renewed in C20. (Jervoise, The Ancient Bridges of the South of England, 1930). {1}
The bridge at Exe Bridge crosses the river with three arches having a total span of 34 yards. It was probably built in the 18th century, as a bridge here was reported as very ruinous in 1649 and destroyed in 1671. {2}

References:

1.Somerset HER Ref:31366
2. The Ancient Bridges of the South of England – Jervoise

Bridge Name: Exebridge Rail Bridge
No.: 33 
Location: SS 93329 24890
Build Date: Circa 1870

Engineer:

Description:

Dismantled. Originally constructed to carry the Taunton to Barnstaple railway which commenced operations in 1873 and closed in 1966.

References

Bridge Name: Brushford Road Bridge
No.: 32 
Location: SS 93494 25990
Build Date:

Engineer:

Description:

Concrete slabs carried on rsj’s supported on stone abutments with metal parapets. Carries Perry New Road which connects the B3222 with the A396. In 1896 Perry Lane was cut through over the Little Exe and Barle rivers. Further to the west a bridge of the same construction can be found where the road crosses the River Barle.

References:

Bridge Name: Weir Bridge
No.: 31 
Location: SS 93494 25990 – Dulverton
Build Date: Mid C19
Engineer:

Description:

Road bridge over River Exe. Mid C19. Random rubble local stone, dressed voussoirs, Ham stone saddleback coping. Single arch span, 4-centred arch opening, north front (upstream) pointed, stepped cutwaters, south front square, stepped cutwater with chamfered top and section of stone work above giving impression of plinth on column; parapets swept back and terminating in circular piers, string course omega-shaped in cross section. Probably part of the Pixton Park (qv) estate.1

References:

1.Exmoor National Park HER – MSO10833

Bridge Name: Hele Bridge
No.: 30 
Location: Helebridge SS 9330 2783
Build Date: 16th century – repaired c1624-1628.
Engineer:

Description:
A medieval stone bridge of three arches over the River Exe.

Hele Bridge, Dulverton across the River Exe is 16th century. It has three pointed arches and massive cutwaters on the upstream side. It was repaired c1624-1628. [3]

Hele Bridge is a road bridge over the River Exe. It is medieval in origin, was repaired in 1628 and 1866, and widened on the south side in 1892 by G.B. Fisher for Somerset County Council. It is built of random rubble local stone with rubble voussoirs and hit-and-miss coping to the parapet. The south side has squared, irregularly coursed local stone with blue glazed brick voussoirs and saddleback coping. It has a three arch span; 4-centred arches on the north side flanking pointed cutwaters with rubble tops, circular iron tie above apex of centre arch the earlier parapet seems to have extended to the top of the cutwaters and is visible in the south-west corner. South side, semi-circular headed arches, pointed cutwater between with parapet extended along the line of the cutwaters to form recesses similar to those found on medieval packhorse bridges. The soffits of the arches have been extended in brick on the south side and would appear to indicate two periods of building. This is an interesting example of how a medieval bridge has been adapted to modern needs. [4]

References:

1.Exmoor National Park HER – MSO8843
2. Somerset Roads – The Legacy of the Turnpikes – Western Somerset – J.B.Bentley & B.J.Murless
3. The Ancient Bridges of the South of England – Jervoise

<4> Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigators Comments, F1. Pitcher, G.H. 17/08/1965. SS92NW9 (Unpublished document). SMO5103.

Bridge Name: ROW Bridge 1790
No.: 29 
Location: SS 92906 29568
Build Date:

Engineer:

Description:

Carries the DU 1/40 footpath

References

Bridge Name: Chilly Bridge
No.: 28 
Location: SS 92906 29568
Build Date: 18th century or earlier, and was restored in the late 19th century.
Engineer:

Description:
Carries the Chillybridge Rocks Lane
Road bridge over River Exe. C18, or earlier, restored late C19. Flat bedded local slate, north-east parapet renewed in squared local stone, south-west corner of parapet cemented, slate rubble voussoirs, saddleback slate coping. Single span, 4-centred arch, humpbacked bridge, parapet swept back north-east and south-west corners when restored. English Heritage Listed Building Number: 265598. First Listed on 06/04/1959. Stone, Random rubble, coursed walls.1
Chilly bridge, two miles south, has a single pointed arch. Although built in the medieval tradition, it is doubtful if the present structure was in existence before the 19th century.2

References:

1.Exmoor National Park HER – MSO10800
2.The Ancient Bridges of the South of England – Jervoise

Bridge Name: Kent’s Farm Bridge
No.: 27 
Location: SS 92906 29568
Build Date:

Engineer:

Description:

Accommodation bridge for Kent’s Farm. Timber deck on steel beams

References:

Bridge Name: Milton’s Bridge
No.: 26 
Location: SS 92267 32136 E
Build Date:

Engineer:

Description:

ROW Bridge No.1888. Carries ROW footpath DU 6/21

References:

Bridge Name: Bridgetown Cricket Club Bridge
No.: 25 
Location: SS 92267 32136
Build Date:

Engineer:

Description:

Wooden footbridge provides access to Bridgetown Cricket Club.

References: