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Key Bridges leaflets Bridges of the

1 Page Bank ICE North East has produced a number of leaflets River Wear 2 Croxdale exemplifying the unique, historical and important 3 Sunderland Bridge This leaflet provides an insight into the numerous bridges across the North East. Publications are held in 4a New Bridge iconic and noteworthy structures that traverse Tourist Information Centres across the region and are 4b Old the River Wear. 5 available to download at ice.org.uk/northeast The River Wear rises in the East and flows approximately 100km 6

eastwards through to the at Wearmouth in Sunderland. 7

8 Penny Bridge Today the moorland of Weardale is an area of outstanding natural beauty, 9 The Northern Spire Robert Stephenson trail dominated by agricultural industry, which has been greatly influenced by 10 This leaflet and the places you can visit will give an quarrying for limestone and mining for lead and coal. The iconic Kingsgate Bridge Civil engineers transform lives by helping to build insight into the background of Robert Stephenson’s in Durham, designed by Sir Ove Arup, reached its 50th anniversary in 2013. 11 a sustainable world upbringing, education, early career and creation of (1,1) -2- Wear Bridges leaflet Monday.indd 19/11/2013 13:45:20 impressive engineering structures which remain in The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a global membership organisation daily use as part of life in the North East. that promotes and advances civil engineering around the world. Our members help to create the structures and systems that sustain society. They are responsible for designing, building, maintaining and improving bridges, roads, canals, docks, office buildings, hospitals, schools, airports, power stations, railways, flood defences, water-treatment facilities... everywhere.

Bridges over the Tees Bridges of the River Wear This leaflet provides an insight into the unusual, For more information, impressive and noteworthy structures across the please contact ICE North East: . Iconic structures such as the Grade II T: +44 (0)191 261 1850 listed and award winning Infinity E: [email protected] bridge are highlighted in this publication. w: ice.org.uk

This leafl et provides an insight into the numerous iconic 2 Croxdale Viaduct and noteworthy structures that traverse the River Wear. 1 Page Bank Bridge Historic border bridges Engineered by Thomas Harrison, Croxdale Viaduct was built by the North This leaflet and the places you can visit will provide The Page Bank Bridge was officially opened in 1996 by former Prime Minister Eastern Railway in 1872 to transport the new passenger train line into an insight into the historic significance of the Tony Blair. The 61m long roadbridge has a concrete deck supported by a 1 Page Bank Bridge 3Durham. The 23m high structure supported by stone piers has 11 brick magnificent Border Bridges. The in steel beam with concrete abutments. It replaces an earlier railway bridge arches each with a span of 18m, giving a total length of 210m. Today, the With thanks to: This leaflet has been prepared by students from the School of this beautiful county of is endless from 1853,which was converted to a road bridge in 1947, to serve the Page Engineering and Computing Sciences with support from the North East Heritage Panel of the Institution of viaduct continues to carry part of the . but the nine bridges included are particularly Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, North Eastern branch, Arup and Bank colliery. Durham County Council. Many thanks to everyone involved in the design and production of this leaflet. impressive structures worthy of note. Photograph of Croxdale Viaduct above: David Robinson Introduction The Page Bank Bridge was offi cially opened in 1996 by former Prime Minister Tony Blair. The 61m long roadbridge The River Wear rises in the East 9. Queen Alexandra Bridge has a concrete deck supported by a steel beam with concrete Pennines and fl ows approximately abutments. It replaces an earlier railway bridge from 1853, which was converted to a road bridge in 1947, to serve the Page 100km eastwards through Weardale Bank colliery. to the North Sea at Wearmouth in Sunderland.

Today the moorland of Weardale is an area of outstanding natural beauty, dominated by agricultural industry, which has been greatly infl uenced by quarrying for limestone and mining for lead and coal.

The iconic Kingsgate Bridge in Durham, designed by Sir Ove Arup, 2. Croxdale ViaductViaduct reached its 50th anniversary in 2013. 2 Croxdale Viaduct

Engineered by Thomas Harrison, Croxdale Viaduct was built Page Bank Bridge 6 Prebends Bridge 1 by the North Eastern Railway in 1872 to transport the new 2 Croxdale Viaduct 7 Framwellgate Bridge passenger train line into Durham. The 23m high structure 3 Sunderland Bridge 8 Penny Ferry Bridge supported by stone piers has 11 brick arches each with a span 4 Elvet Bridge 9 Queen Alexandra Bridge of 18m, giving a total length of 210m. Today, the viaduct 5 Kingsgate Bridge 10 Wearmouth Bridge 5. Kingsgate Bridge continues to carry part of the East Coast Main Line. (2,1) -2- Wear Bridges leaflet Monday.indd 19/11/2013 13:45:20

3 Sunderland Bridge 4 Elvet Bridge 5 Kingsgate Bridge

The present Sunderland Bridge was thought to have been built Old Elvet Bridge is a masonry with a total of Kingsgate Bridge was designed by Sir Ove Arup in 1963 to link in the 16th century and replaces earlier bridges at the site, the fourteen arches, although only ten of these are visible. Since the Cathedral and University Colleges on the peninsula to New fi rst possibly dating back to the 14th century. The bridge is its construction in 1160 during the time of Bishop Hugh de Elvet. Arup designed every detail himself and considered the made of dressed sandstone. Puiset, the bridge has undergone signifi cant reconstruction and project to be his fi nest piece of work as well as being his last. age maintenance. Over the last few centuries, the Grade I listed bridge used to This 17m high reinforced concrete bridge spans 106.7m. The carry the Great North Road, which(2,1) became -2- Wear theBridges A1 leaflet and Monday.indd later the 19/11/2013 13:45:20 The great fl ood of 1771 completely destroyed three of the two halves of the bridge were built on scaffolding on the A167. arches and by 1805 Old Elvet Bridge had been repaired and its river bank parallel with the river and then rotated through 90 width had been almost doubled at the upstream side, from 5m degrees to meet in the middle to complete the bridge. It was Despite being widened to 5m in 1822, the bridge was no longer to 9.5m. Since 1952, it has been recognised as a Grade I listed an extremely skilled piece of engineering which eliminated the able to carry traffi c from the A167 and is now used only for structure. need for working over water. At the point where these two local traffi c. The steel beam Croxdale Bridge (below) was built halves meet is a unique bronze expansion joint that allows the slightly downstream in 1924 in order to carryBridges the of A167 the River and Wear can Interesting fact: Only one of the original arches built in bridge to lengthen/contract during warm and cold weather. be seen from Sunderland Bridge. the late 12th century still stands and forms part of Old Elvet (2,1) -2- Wear Bridges(2,1) leaflet -2- Wear Monday.indd Bridges leaflet 19/11/2013 Monday.indd 13:45:20 19/11/2013 13:45:20 Bridge. The other arches date from the early 13th century when In 1965, the bridge was the winner of the Civic Trust Award considerable reconstruction work was carried out. and in 1993 was awarded the Concrete Society’s Certifi cate of Outstanding Performance (Mature Structures Category). The In 1975 a concrete (below) was constructed bridge is a Grade I Listed structure. 3 Sunderland Bridge upstream of Old Elvet Bridge4 andElvet named Bridge ‘New Elvet Bridge’. It 5 Kingsgate Bridge was constructed to form part of a traffi c relief scheme that was Sir Ove Arup’s involvement in the design of put in place after the pedestrianisation of Old Elvet Bridge. the bridge is commemorated by a bust at The present Sunderland Bridge was thought to have been built Old Elvet Bridge is a masonry arch bridge with a total of Kingsgate Bridge was designed by Sir Ove Arup in 1963 to link in the 16th century and replaces earlier bridges at the site, the fourteen arches, although only ten of these are visible. Sincethe eastern end ofthe the Cathedral bridge. and The University bust of Colleges on the peninsula to New fi rst possibly dating back to the 14th century. The bridge is its construction in 1160 during the time of Bishop Hugh deSir Ove was erectedElvet. on Arup 16 Aprildesigned 2003, every on detail himself and considered the the 108th anniversary of his birth. made of dressed sandstone. Puiset, the bridge has undergone signifi cant reconstruction and 5 project Kingsgate to be hisBridge fi nest piece of work as well as being his last. 3 Sunderland Bridge 4 Elvet Bridge 6 Prebends Bridge age maintenance. 3 Over theSunderland last few centuries, Bridge the Grade I listed bridge used to 4 Old ElvetElvet Bridge is aBridge masonry arch bridge with a total of fourteen arches, although Kingsgate Bridge5KingsgateThis stands BridgeKingsgate 17m was ashigh designed a strikingreinforced by BridgeSir Ove example Arupconcrete in 1963 of bridgeto linkOve the spans 106.7m. The The 3present SunderlandSunderland Bridge was thought Bridge to have been built in the 16th 4 Elvet Bridge 5 Kingsgate Bridge Prebends Bridge is situated in part of the Estate, and is carry the Great North Road, which became the A1 and later the onlyThe ten great of these fl areood visible. of Since1771 its constructioncompletely in 1160 destroyed during the time three of Bishop of theArup’s visionCathedral for two‘total and halves University design’ of Colleges the – bridgethe on the seamless peninsula were built to integrationNew on Elvet. scaffolding Arup of on the n century and replaces earlier bridges at the site, the first possibly dating back located at the end of the South Bailey. A167. Hugharches de Puiset, and the by bridge 1805 has undergoneOld Elvet significant Bridge reconstruction had been and repaired maintenance. and its designedriver every bank detail himselfparallel and withconsidered the theriver project and to thenbe his finestrotated through 90 to the 14th century. The bridge is made of dressed sandstone. engineering and architecture. width had been almost doubled at the upstream side, from 5m piece ofdegrees work as well to as meet being hisin last.the middle to complete the bridge. It was The present Sunderland Bridge was thought to have been built Old Elvet Bridge is a masonry arch bridge with a total of Kingsgate Bridge was designed by Sir Ove Arup in 1963 to link Designed by Engineer George Nicholson, its construction finished in 1778 Despite beingThe widened present to Sunderland5m in 1822, Bridge the bridge was wasthought no longer to have been builtTheto great9.5m. flood Since of 1771Old 1952, completely Elvet it destroyedhasBridge been three is recognisedaof masonrythe arches and archas by a1805 bridgeGrade Iwith listed a total of an extremely skilledKingsgate piece ofBridge engineering was designed which eliminatedby Sir Ove Arupthe in 1963 to link in the 16thOver the century last few andcenturies, replaces the Grade earlier I listed bridges bridge used at to the carry site, the Greatthe fourteenOld Elvet Bridge arches, had been although repaired and only its width ten had of beenthese almost are doubled visible. at the Since Photograph of Kingsgatethe Cathedral Bridge andabove: University Giles Rocholl Colleges Photography. on the peninsula to New and is a Grade I listed structure. Prebends Bridge has three stone arches able to carry traffiin the c from16th the century A167 and and replaces is now used earlier only bridges for at the site, thestructure. fourteen arches, although only ten of these are visible. This Since 17mneed high reinforcedfor working concretethe over bridgeCathedral water. spans 106.7m. Atand the University The point two halves where Colleges these on two the peninsula to New fi rst possiblyNorth Road, dating which back became to thethe A1 14th and later century. the A167. The bridge is itsupstream construction side, from 5m in to 1160 9.5m. Since during 1952, theit has time been recognised of Bishop as a GradeHugh I de Elvet. Arup designed every detail himself and considered the and although it is wide enough to carry vehicles, it is mainly used as a local traffi c. Thefi rst steel possibly beam dating Croxdale back Bridge to the (below) 14th century. was built The bridge is its construction in 1160 during the time of Bishop Hughof thede bridgehalves were meet built on is scaffolding aElvet. unique onArup bronze the riverdesigned bankexpansion parallel every with joint detail that himself allows and the considered the made of dressed sandstone. Puiset,listed structure. the bridge has undergone signifi cant reconstruction and project to be his fi nest piece of work as well as being his last. footbridge and connects to riverside paths. slightly downstreammade of in dressed1924 in sandstone. order to carry the A167 and can Interesting fact:Puiset, Only the one bridge of the has original undergone arches signifi built cant in reconstructionthe river andbridge and then to rotated lengthen/contract throughproject 90 degrees to be duringto his meet fi innest warm the middlepiece and to of cold work weather. as well as being his last. age Despite being widened to 5m in 1822, the bridge was no longer able to carry maintenance. be seen from Sunderland Bridge. the late 12th century still stands and forms part of Old Elvet complete the bridge. It was an extremely skilled piece of engineering age Over thetraffic last from few the centuries, A167 and is the now Gradeused only I forlisted local bridgetraffic. Theused steel to beam Interesting maintenance. fact: Only one of the original arches built in the late 12th This 17m high reinforced concrete bridge spans 106.7m. The The bridge has a plaque on it with a quote from Sir Walter Scott Bridge.century The still other stands archesand forms datepart of Oldfrom Elvet the Bridge. early The other 13th arches century when which eliminatedIn 1965, the the need bridge for working was over the water. winner At the pointof the where Civic Trust Award carry theCroxdale GreatOver Bridge North the (below) Road, last was few whichbuilt centuries, slightly became downstream the the Grade A1 in 1924 and I in listedlater order tothebridge used to The great fl ood of 1771 completely destroyed three of the two halves of the bridgeThis 17m were high built reinforced on scaffolding concrete on the bridge spans about106.7m. Durham: The considerabledate from thereconstruction early 13th century whenwork considerable was carried reconstruction out. these twoand halves in 1993meet is awas unique awarded bronze expansion the Concrete joint that allows Society’s Certifi cate of A167. carry thecarry A167 andthe can Great be seen North from Sunderland Road, which Bridge. became the A1 and later thearches and by 1805The Oldgreat Elvet fl ood Bridge of 1771 had beencompletely repaired destroyed and its three of theriver bank parallel withtwo thehalves river of and the then bridge rotated were through built on 90 scaffolding “Grey on towers the of Durham work was carried out. the bridge to lengthen/contract during warm and cold weather. A167. width had been almostarches doubledand by 1805 at the Old upstream Elvet Bridge side, from had 5mbeen repaired anddegrees Outstandingits to meet Performancein theriver middle bank (Matureparallelto complete withStructures the the bridge. river Category). and It was then The rotated Yet wellthrough I love thy 90 mixed and massive piles Despite being widened to 5m in 1822, the bridge was no longer toIn 9.5m. 1975 Sincea concrete 1952,width cantilever it had has been been bridge almostrecognised (below) doubled as was a Gradeat constructed the Iupstream listed side, froman 5mextremelybridge is a skilled Gradedegrees piece I Listed of to engineeringstructure. meet in the which middle eliminated to complete the the bridge.Half church It of was God, half castle ‘gainst the Scot In 1975 a concrete cantilever bridge (below) was constructed upstream of Old Elvet In 1965, the bridge was the winner of the Civic Trust Award and in able to carry traffiDespite c from being the widenedA167 and to is 5m now in used 1822, only the for bridge was no longerstructure.upstream of Oldto Elvet9.5m. Bridge Since and 1952, named it has ‘New been Elvet recognised Bridge’. as It a Grade needI listed for working overan water.extremely At theskilled point piece where of theseengineering two which Andeliminated long to roam the these venerable aisles Bridge and named ‘New Elvet Bridge’. It was constructed to form part of a traffic 1993 was awarded the Concrete Society’s Certificate of Outstanding local traffi c. Theable steel to carry beam traffi Croxdale c from Bridge the A167 (below) and was is now built used only for was constructedstructure. to form part of a traffi c relief scheme that was halvesSir Ovemeet Arup’s is a unique involvementneed bronze for working inexpansion the designover jointwater. of that At allows the point the whereWith these records two stored of deeds long since forgot” relief scheme that was put in place after the pedestrianisation of Old Elvet Bridge. Performance (Mature Structures Category). The bridge is a Grade I slightly downstreamlocal traffi in 1924c. The in steel order beam to carry Croxdale the A167 Bridge and can(below) was builtInterestingput in place fact: after theOnly pedestrianisation one of the original of archesOld Elvet built Bridge. in bridgethe tobridge lengthen/contract is commemoratedhalves meet during is by awarm aunique bust and at bronze cold weather. expansion joint that allows the Listed structure. be seen from slightlySunderland downstream Bridge. in 1924 in order to carry the A167 and canthe late 12th centuryInteresting still stands fact: and Onlyforms one part of of the Old original Elvet arches built in the eastern end bridgeof the bridge.to lengthen/contract The bust of during warm and cold weather. Bridge. The other arches date from the early 13th century when In 1965,Sir Ove the was bridge erected was onthe 16 winner April of2003, the Civicon Trust Award Interesting fact: It replaced a stone footbridge, built in 1696, be seen from Sunderland Bridge. the late 12th century still stands and forms part of Old SirElvet Ove Arup’s involvement in the design of the bridge is commemorated considerable reconstruction work was carried out. andthe in 1993108th was anniversary awarded ofthe his Concrete birth. Society’s Certifi cate of that was swept away during a flood in 1771. A ford and ferry Bridge. The other arches date from the early 13th centuryby a bustwhen at the eastern end ofIn the 1965, bridge. Thethe bust bridge of Sir Ovewas was the winner of the Civic Trust Award considerable reconstruction work was carried out. Outstanding Performanceand in (Mature1993 was Structures awarded Category). the Concrete The Society’s Certifiexisted cate at ofthis site before a wooden footbridge on stone piers was erected Kingsgateon 16 April 2003, Bridge on the stands 108th anniversary as a striking of his birth. example of Ove In 1975 a concrete cantilever bridge (below) was constructed bridge is a Grade I ListedOutstanding structure. Performance (Mature Structures Category).built Thein 1574, later to be replaced in 1696 by a stone footbridge. Arup’s vision for ‘total design’ – the seamless integration of n upstream of Old InElvet 1975 Bridge a concrete and named cantilever ‘New Elvetbridge Bridge’. (below) It was constructed bridge is a Grade I Listed structure. was constructed to form part of a traffi c relief scheme that was KingsgateSir Oveengineering Bridge Arup’s stands involvement and as a architecture. striking inexample the design of Ove Arup’sof upstream of Old Elvet Bridge and named ‘New Elvet Bridge’.vision for It‘total design’ – the seamless integration of engineering put in place after the pedestrianisation of Old Elvet Bridge. the bridge is commemorated by a bust at Prebends bridge has long been used by artists and photographers as it was constructed to form part of a traffi c relief scheme thatand architecture. was Sir Ove Arup’s involvement in the design of the Photographeastern end of Kingsgate of the bridge. Bridge above: The bust Giles of Rocholl Photography. offers spectacular views of and Cathedral. put in place after the pedestrianisation of Old Elvet Bridge. the bridge is commemorated by a bust at Sir Ove was erected on 16 April 2003, on Photograph of Kingsgate Bridge above: theGiles Rocholl eastern Photography. end of the bridge. The bust of the 108th anniversary of his birth. Sir Ove was erected on 16 April 2003, on Kingsgate Bridge standsthe 108th as a striking anniversary example of his of Ovebirth. n Arup’s vision for ‘total design’ – the seamless integration of engineering and architecture.Kingsgate Bridge stands as a striking example of Ove n Arup’s vision for ‘total design’ – the seamless integration of Photograph of Kingsgateengineering Bridge above: Gilesand Rochollarchitecture. Photography.

9 The Northern Spire Photograph of Kingsgate Bridge above: Giles Rocholl Photography. The Northern Spire is a bridge to the west side of the city over the River Wear in Sunderland, which links Castletown on the north side of the River Wear with in the south. The bridge opened on August 28, 2018 and took more than 2,000 people to build. A three-span cable-stayed structure, construction began in May 2015. The cost of the design was estimated at £133 million for the bridge 10 7 Framwellgate Bridge and the associated approaches and roadworks. The central pylon Queen Alexandra Bridge stands at a height of 105m (344ft), making it the tallest structure in Durham’s oldest bridge was commissioned by Bishop Flambard in 1127 and was Sunderland. The four-lane bridge is 336m (1,102ft) long and 25m The Queen Alexandra Bridge is a 91m two-deck road-rail bridge comprised of four once a main strategic entry point which was defended with a hefty gatehouse. A (82ft) wide. It has won a host of awards including being named steel spans. The bridge was built in 1907-1909 and was designed by engineer number of shops existed on the bridge, but were removed in the 18th century to Project of the Year: Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure Charles A. Harrison. The crossing connected the coalfields of Washington and improve access to the peninsula. 2018, at the Association for Project Management (APM) awards, and Annfield Plain with the South Dock at Sunderland, allowing up to six million Today this arched masonry bridge provides pedestrian access from the west side the ICE’s Robert Stephenson Awards’ Special Project Award. tonnes of coal to be transported across the bridge each year. As the coal industry of Durham City. declined during the late 1910s, the rail deck became redundant.

Interesting fact: Framwellgate Bridge was the scene of Bishop Interesting fact: The bridge was constructed using a Fitzmarmaduke’s murder by his cousin in the 14th century. temporary cantilever, a unique technique at the time.

8 Penny Ferry Bridge 11 Wearmouth Bridge The Penny Ferry Bridge is a steel cable stayed bridge and was opened in 2002 The first Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland opened in 1796 and, with a length by local MP Gerry Steinberg. of 72m, was the largest single-span bridge in the world. Following damage This footbridge was originally named the ‘Millennium Bridge,’ but was renamed in 1853, the bridge was rebuilt in 1858/59 to Robert Stephenson’s design. the Penny Ferry Bridge after a ferry crossing nearby that cost one penny to cross. The current bridge, completed in 1929, is a three-pin steel arch bridge that is 114m long and 15m wide. It was formerly used by trams until 1954. PeterGHughes at English Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]