Description

In the entry for the following:

HOMERSFIELD
TM 28 NE
1/9 Homersfield Bridge

3.6.81

- II

The grade shall be upgraded to grade II*, and the description shall be amended to
read:

Bridge, dated to 1869. Architect Henry Eyton, constructed by Messrs Phillips for
the Flixton estate. Composite wrought iron and concrete construction, cast iron
balustrade. Of single span with segmental arch. The wrought iron is expressed on
the arch face and at the level of the carriageway. Otherwise the internal cross
members, now visible due to rust staining were originally encased in mass
concrete. The soffit of the bridge is composed of this, finished fairface, as are
the spandrels which have readed panels. The open balustrade is of cast iron
bolted to the wrought iron top member. Balusters with spiral nailhead ribbon
decoration carry wide St Andrews crosses with guillocke ornament. At the inter-
section of each cross is a medallion initialled S.A. (Sir Shafto Adair, Bart).
The moulded cast iron handrails carry ball finials above each baluster. On one
side the handrail is embossed with a small panel "HM EYTON, architect". At the
centre of each face of the bridge cast iron sheilds with the arms of the Adair
family. The roadway edge is of york stone paviours, finished with roll nosing
above the bridge faces. At each end of the bridge the balustrade terminates in
short brick piers with rectangular York stone caps. Repair drawings from 1907
record that the bridge was padlocked with a chain each year at a time of flood "So
as to force people to pay the toll...2d each is charged". The composite construc-
tion of the bridge makes it an early forerunner of modern reinforced concrete
structures. At the time of this description (Feb 1989) the bridge is the subject
of a joint conservation project involving Norfolk Historic Building Trust and
Suffolk Preservation Society. Sources:-Copies of construction drawings together
with contractors and architects letters dated December,1869 ; Norfolk County
Council Highways Department; Suffolk Preservation Society Newsletter Winter
1986-7, p.3.

NB This building is also listed in the District of South Norfolk, Norfolk, and is
situated in the parishes of Aldburgh and Wortwell. See the 6th amendement to the
30th list of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic: Interest in the
District of South Norfolk as at 26 6 81.

------------------------------------

HOMERSFIELD
TM 28 NE
1/9 Homersfield Bridge

3.6.81

- II

A single span road bridge over the river Waveney, now converted to a foot
bridge. Circa 1870. By H.M. Eyton for Sir Shafto Adair. In pre-cast
concrete with cast iron parapets. The spandrels of the supporting arch have
reeded panels, and in the centre is a cast iron shield. The parapets are in
open panels,, originally 13 on each side, though almost all are missing on the
west. Each panel has a wide St. Andrew's Cross with guilloche ornament and a
circle at the intersection with the initials SA. Between the panels are short
pillars with diagonal banding. The short sections of moulded handrail are
linked by raised knobs; the centre section on the east side has a small panel
with 'H.M. Eyton, Architect' on it. At each end of the bridge the parapets
are embedded in short plain red brick pillars. Two rows of mid-C20 concrete
posts and metal rails have been set inside the original parapets to prevent
vehicles using the bridge. This is said to be the earliest use of precast
concrete for a bridge in England.

Listing NGR: TM2836785740

External Links

• Historic England Listing

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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