Barton Farm Bridge
During the summer and autumn of 2003 Minerva Stone Conservation started repairs to a medieval packhorse bridge near to the stunning tithe barn at Bradford on Avon.
This bridge had been repaired in a piecemeal fashion
on other occassions but had since fallen into a picturesque but potentially
ruinous state. Consequently the decision was made to carry out extensive
repairs to the bridge including structural stonemasonry repair to the barrel
vaulted arches. This work can only be carried out in the more clement weather
since the river Avon which the bridge spans floods almost annually to dramatic
proprtions which can occassionally submerge the bridge entirely!
The bridge is a scheduled ancient monument and dates from the 14th century
(cutwaters were added in the 15th century), it is of particular importance
because it never became part of a metalled road and has never been extensively
altered and so is still in its original 'as built' condition. Historically
the bridge was part of a complex of buildings belonging to the Abbess of
Shaftesbury and formed part of a direct route between the rich cereal growing
Cotswold scarp and the stone tithe barn where the harvest was collected.
Taking this direct route avoided a toll on the main town bridge.
For further details and pictures of this very special project please click here.
