King Edward VII Railway Bridge
King Edward VII Railway Bridge
HER Number
1010
District
Gateshead and Newcastle
Site Name
King Edward VII Railway Bridge
Place
Newcastle
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
Class
Transport
Site Type: Broad
Railway Transport Site
Site Type: Specific
Railway Bridge
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Early 20th Century 1901 to 1932
Form of Evidence
Structure
Description
This railway bridge was listed Grade II in 1994 with the following description:
'Railway bridge. 1902-6 by Charles A. Harrison for the North Eastern Railway; contractors Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co. Sandstone ashlar piers and red sandstone approach viaduct with steel girder bridge deck. Originally planned to have only 2 lattice girder spans, the discovery of old coal workings caused a change of design to 4 steel spans. 5 ashlar piers, of which 3 are in river, are pierced by 2 tall arches rest on high plinths and support steel lattice girder bridge deck. Strings on piers along line of upper and lower girders, and raised panels between, give classical proportions to piers which rise to parapets above rail track bed. Land approach on north side is rock-faced stone and has 10 tall arches with voussoirs, all now containing renewed doors and glazing to workshops, between the river and Pottery Lane. East Coast Main Line electrification girders added to bridge. The southern half of the bridge is in Gateshead District.' {2}.
The original plan was for two lattice girder spans with land approach arches until it was discovered that old coal workings at both ends meant that most of the arches had to be abandoned. Consequently the bridge was built with four massive steel lattice girder spans carrying four rail tracks, each 28ft (8.5m) deep and up to 300ft (91m) long, supported on solid stone piers; cost just over £500,000 and very much a workaday design. {1} It was opened 10th July 1906 by Edward VII. The bridge made it possible for trains from the south to enter the Central Station from either end. LISTED GRADE 2
'Railway bridge. 1902-6 by Charles A. Harrison for the North Eastern Railway; contractors Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co. Sandstone ashlar piers and red sandstone approach viaduct with steel girder bridge deck. Originally planned to have only 2 lattice girder spans, the discovery of old coal workings caused a change of design to 4 steel spans. 5 ashlar piers, of which 3 are in river, are pierced by 2 tall arches rest on high plinths and support steel lattice girder bridge deck. Strings on piers along line of upper and lower girders, and raised panels between, give classical proportions to piers which rise to parapets above rail track bed. Land approach on north side is rock-faced stone and has 10 tall arches with voussoirs, all now containing renewed doors and glazing to workshops, between the river and Pottery Lane. East Coast Main Line electrification girders added to bridge. The southern half of the bridge is in Gateshead District.' {2}.
The original plan was for two lattice girder spans with land approach arches until it was discovered that old coal workings at both ends meant that most of the arches had to be abandoned. Consequently the bridge was built with four massive steel lattice girder spans carrying four rail tracks, each 28ft (8.5m) deep and up to 300ft (91m) long, supported on solid stone piers; cost just over £500,000 and very much a workaday design. {1} It was opened 10th July 1906 by Edward VII. The bridge made it possible for trains from the south to enter the Central Station from either end. LISTED GRADE 2
Easting
424701
Northing
563191
Grid Reference
NZ424701563191
Sources
<< HER 1010 >> I. Ayris & S.M. Linsley, 1994, A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Tyne and Wear, p 16;
Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special architectural or Historic Interest, 1001/1/10007;
Grace McCombie, 2009, Newcastle and Gateshead, p 102;
City Guides Information;
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1242100
Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special architectural or Historic Interest, 1001/1/10007;
Grace McCombie, 2009, Newcastle and Gateshead, p 102;
City Guides Information;
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1242100