Trent Bridge

Ask most people about "Trent Bridge" and many will refer you to the famous test match/ County cricket ground south of the River Trent in Nottingham.

Local folk may generally refer also to the fine stone/blue and white wrought metal and comparatively modern three-arched bridge that crosses the Trent now. I paced the modern bridge out today, and the river is 130 yards wide at this point.

However, what my picture actually depicts are two arches and part of the roadway of the original, medieval stone bridge. Today this stands neglected and almost buried from sight, and surrounded by six lanes of busy roadway on the south side of the river.

I This is now so hidden away that many people may be unaware of its' existence.

The first bridge is thought to have been constructed here in 920.
A second bridge which was started in 1156 had more than 20 stone arches and a chapel dedicated to St. James at one end. It was maintained by a religious organisation and known as Hethbeth bridge, Heath-beth bridge, or Heck-beck bridge.
The old bridge was damaged by floods several times, and the northern half was actually washed away in a flood in 1683.
The repaired bridge had fifteen of the stone arches across the river and flood areas, giving openings covering 347 ft in a total length of 538 ft.
Although it was repaired, the foundations had become unsafe and a project to replace it was started in the 1860s and completed some 20 years later.

The old bridge is now a rather forlorn sight - unmarked and full of litter and what looks like bedding materials perhaps used by some homeless unfortunates sleeping out here under the arches.