Kexby Old Bridge is a historic bridge in Yorkshire, in England.

Kexby Old Bridge
LocationKexby, City of York, England
Coordinates53°57′04″N 0°55′36″W / 53.951°N 0.9268°W / 53.951; -0.9268
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameKexby Old Bridge
Designated17 November 1966
Reference no.1316288[1]
Official nameKexby Bridge
Reference no.1004901[2]
Kexby Old Bridge is located in East Riding of Yorkshire
Kexby Old Bridge
Location in the East Riding of Yorkshire

The bridge crosses the River Derwent, linking Kexby in the City of York with Catton in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It lies on the main route from York to Kingston upon Hull, and a ferry at the location was first recorded in 1315. In the 1420s, a three-arch bridge was constructed by Nicholas Blackburn, although the ferry continued to operate.[3]

Because of the importance of the road, Roger Tresuer rebuilt the bridge from 1648 to 1650, and an inscription on it states that it was built in 1650. Despite this, the Victoria County History claims that part of the earlier bridge may be incorporated in the present structure, including a coat of arms of the Ughtred family.[3][1]

Roadway over the bridge, in 2008

In 1764, the road was made a turnpike, and much work was done to the bridge over the remainder of the century, with an inscription noting repairs in 1778. In the 20th century, the road was widened and straightened, but in 1960, a new concrete bridge was built as a bypass, forming part of the A1079 road.[3][4]

The bridge was damaged in the Boxing Day floods of 2015, and in 2017 major defects were found in it. It was then closed to motorised traffic. A steel arch frame was added to stabilise the western arch, and in 2020 and 2021, the central pier was partly rebuilt, and other work conducted to restore the bridge. However, it was decided that it would not reopen to motor vehicles.[5][6]

The bridge is constructed of stone and brick, and has three arches, with the piers each having a pointed cutwater. The ground under the eastern arch is usually dry. Its parapet has four courses of stone.[3][1] It is a Grade II* listed building[1] and a scheduled monument.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Historic England. "Kexby Old Bridge (Grade II*) (1316288)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Historic England. "Kexby Bridge (1004901)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d A History of the County of York East Riding: Volume 3, Ouse and Derwent Wapentake, and Part of Harthill Wapentake. London: Victoria County History. 1976. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  4. ^ Adams, Bob (1 June 2020). "Day 3 of Bob Adam's walk the length of the River Derwent". The Press. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  5. ^ Newton, Grace (7 July 2021). "Listed 17th-century Kexby Old Bridge over the River Derwent near York will never re-open to drivers despite work to make it safe for walkers and cyclists". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Work about to start to stabilise Kexby Old Bridge". East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Retrieved 27 November 2022.