Ireland Bridge - Misplaced Pages

(Redirected from Bingley Ireland Bridge) Listed bridge in West Yorkshire, England This article is about the bridge in Northern England. For the idea of a bridge between Ireland and Great Britain, see Proposed British Isles fixed sea link connections.

Ireland Bridge

Coordinates	53°51′01″N 1°50′30″W / 53.850293°N 1.84157°W / 53.850293; -1.84157
Crosses	River Aire
Locale	Bingley
Maintained by	Bradford District Council
Characteristics
Material	Dressed stone
No. of spans	7
History
Opened	1686
Location

Bingley's Ireland Bridge is a Grade II* listed structure and a historically significant crossing point over the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England. It now provides the main route between Bingley and the nearby villages of Harden, Wilsden and Cullingworth (the B6429).

History

A bridge has existed at this point over the river since mediaeval times. The current bridge dates from 1686 and replaced an earlier timber structure. During renovations in 2010, engineers found unique stonemason marks carved into sections of the bridge that were previously inaccessible until the scaffolding went up around it. The bridge was widened and a parapet added in 1775. Previous to the bridge being built, visitors to the town would ford the river at a crossing just south of the bridge that would lead them to the bottom of what is now Ferrand Lane. When the water is low enough, the stones of this crossing are said to be visible.

The All Saints Parish Church and the Old White Horse Inn, a Coaching inn were constructed very close to the eastern bank and Bingley's modern town centre spread south from these beginnings. A mill extended on the east bank for which a weir was built across the Aire. The water was then funnelled under the mill to power the works which started out as a Corn Mill, a forge and for much of the 20th century was a fat refinery. The mill was demolished in 1984 and the site has now been replaced by housing.

In the 18th century, the middle of the bridge was an area where locals would congregate and 'gossip'. This would also entail talking to travellers who were using the bridge to get from Halifax and beyond to Otley and Ilkley.

The bridge was originally named Bingley Bridge, but an influx of Irish immigrants caused a name change. They came to work in the Bingley mills and they also visited the Brown Cow Inn, which meant going across the bridge. The Brown Cow acquired the nickname of 'The Irish Inn'; this also led to the bridge being similarly named. Harry Speight in his book The Chronicles of Old Bingley suggests the name came about due to the crossing of the Aire being like going over the water to Ireland.

Strengthening works

Despite previous strengthening works, the bridge was deemed unfit for two-way traffic, and traffic lights were installed for a time at either end. These allowed only a single lane across for some time – disrupting local traffic at peak times.

In January 2010, Bradford Council closed the bridge completely, and commenced works to strengthen the bridge. These works resulted in the closure of Harden Road to vehicles over the bridge. The works were originally due to take place in June 2009, but were postponed owing to the presence of rare Daubenton's bats roosting in the spans of the bridge. After a £1.6 million project, Ireland Bridge reopened to two-way traffic in June 2010.

v t e Road bridges in Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire	Boothferry Bridge Humber Bridge Kexby Old Bridge Myton Swing Bridge Ouse Bridge Stamford Bridge Sutton Bridge
North Yorkshire	Aldwark Bridge Beggar's Bridge Blackwell Bridge Borough Bridge Burnsall Bridge Cattal Bridge Catterick Bridge Cawood Bridge Coverham Bridge Croft Bridge Downholme Bridge Duck Bridge Grassington Bridge Green Bridge Grinton Bridge Grosmont Bridge Holgate Bridge Kexby Old Bridge Kildwick Bridge Kilgram Bridge Mercury Bridge North Northallerton bridge Princess of Wales Bridge River Ouse swing bridge Selby toll bridge Sutton Bridge Tadcaster Bridge Tees Jubilee Bridge Tees Newport Bridge Tees Transporter Bridge Tees Viaduct Ulshaw Bridge Whitby Swing Bridge
South Yorkshire	Don Bridge Lady's Bridge Tinsley Viaduct
West Yorkshire	Beckfoot Bridge Chantry Bridge Collingham Bridge Crawshaw Woods Bridge Ferry Bridge Ireland Bridge Kirkstall Bridge Leeds Bridge Linton Bridge Scammonden Bridge Thorp Arch Bridge Wentbridge Viaduct Wetherby Bridge

History

Strengthening works

See also

References

External links