Perry Bridge

Perry Bridge, also known as the Zig Zag Bridge, is a bridge over the River Tame in Perry Barr, Birmingham, England. Built in 1711, it is a Grade II listed building[1] and a Scheduled monument.[2][3]

Perry Bridge
Coordinates52.52534°N 1.89711°W / 52.52534; -1.89711
CarriesNow only pedestrian
CrossesRiver Tame
LocalePerry Barr, Birmingham, England
Maintained byBirmingham City Council
Characteristics
Total length50 metres (164 ft)
Width4 metres (13 ft)
History
Construction end1711
Location

The bridge was built, in the 18th century, of red sandstone in a packhorse style. It is believed that it is the bridge built by order of the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions, held in 1709, to take the place of a 'wood horse bridge' (Perry Barr was in Staffordshire until 1928). It is said to have been built by Sir Henry Gough.[4] A crossing has been on the spot since Roman times as this was the exact spot where Ryknild Street (today's Aldridge Road) crossed the river, giving rise to the local placename, "Holford".[5] A stream, "Holbrook", joins the river adjacent to the bridge.

Written evidence of this crossing date back to as early as 1509 when there was mention of a field, named "Bridge Meadow", being located nearby.[6]

Sign that was erected near the bridge circa 1905 and removed when the new bridge opened in 1932

The bridge is 50 feet (15 m) in length and 13 feet (4 m) wide.[7] The parapets on each side rise nearly 3 feet (1 m). It is now open only to pedestrian traffic. It appears in the badge of Handsworth Grammar School.

A replacement bridge, in Art Deco style, built in 1932, stands alongside, and carries vehicular traffic on the route.

References
  1. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1219667)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
  2. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1002980)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  3. "Birmingham's Scheduled Ancient Monuments". Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. The Story of Erdington: From Sleepy Hamlet to Thriving Suburb, Douglas V. Jones, 1985, Westwood Press Publications (ISBN 0948025050)
  5. Chinn, Carl (9 February 2008). "The mystery manor of Witton unearthed". Birmingham Mail.
  6. Birmingham Faces and Places (1891) (Volume 3)
  7. "Birmingham City Council: Perry Bridge". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.


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