Brynderwen Bridge

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: Listed grade II* as an impressive engineering achievement of exceptional quality. The casting of the river bridge (including cast-in lettering) is very fine, and the constructional detail is of considerable refinement. The two bridges form a group of unusual interest. History: The bridges were designed in 1853 by Thomas Penson, County Surveyor of Montgomeryshire. Brynderwen Bridge was constructed following a flood in 1852 which destroyed the former timber bridge which was approximately 400m downstream. One of three similar bridges in the County, the others being at Llandinam (1846) and Caerhowel (1858). The ironwork for both bridges was produced by the Brymbo Ironworks, the stone abutments built by David Wylie and the roadway by David Davies. The canal bridge is also likely to be a replacement for an earlier bridge. Exterior: The two bridges form a linked sequence over river and canal and appear to have been designed together. Brynderwen Bridge is a single span cast iron bridge with massive stone buttresses to each side. The deck is supported by 5 latticed cast-iron ribs, linked together by lateral iron tie bars. The arches of the inner 3 ribs are formed of lattice work in a criss-cross design, but the arches of the outer 2 ribs are formed by lettering which reads ‘THIS SECOND IRON BRIDGE CONSTRUCTED IN THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY’. The abutments are of roughed, dressed grey stone and are slightly splayed. They terminate as piers surmounted by squared sandstone blocks with pyramidal copings. The cast iron decking girders are decorated with moulded panels on the exterior and support iron railings without a parapet. Above the buttresses, the railings rise from a moulded sandstone sill and are contained by the sandstone piers. There are twice as many r

From Cadw under OGL v3.