Matlock Bridge

Matlock Bridge also known as Derwent Bridge, is a stone bridge spanning the River Derwent in Matlock town centre, Derbyshire, England.[1] The bridge dates back to the 15th century,[2] and is a Grade II* listed structure.[3]

Close up of natural stone arched bridge and tapered piers over river on a sunny day with blue sky
Matlock Bridge with piers V-shaped as cutwaters

History

A ford originally crossed the river at this point, and the side became a major crossing point. A settlement developed around the bridge, known as Matlock Bridge, which later became part of modern Matlock.[4]

The bridge was made into one-way for vehicles in 2007.[5][6]

Single carriageway road on a slight curve stretching into the distance lined with stone-fronted buildings used by shops and a hotel on the right, with a parked motorhome and car to the left
Dale Road (A6) in 2010, close to the edge of Matlock Bridge Conservation Area looking towards the bridge itself, showing some of the independent shops and businesses[7]

Matlock Bridge Conservation Area was established in 1989, but was further widened in 2008 and includes an area on both sides of the river.[7] It contains 283 buildings, of which three are listed structures, including the bridge itself.[1][8]

In May 2022, the Environment Agency announced nearby repair work to failed flood defences close to the bridge and immediately alongside the River Derwent would mean the bridge returning to two-way traffic for a temporary period.[9] Additionally, the bridge's superstructure was altered to include installation of a safety vehicle restraint system, a run of fabricated steel side-barriers to protect pedestrians and the bridge fabric from any damage from passing traffic.[10][11]

With no direct access to the repair-site, a major contributor to the scheme was 'Lifty McShifty', an 800-ton crane sited on Derwent Way, a short closed section of the A6 road, used to position plant and materials as needed.[12] The project is expected to be halfway-completed by Christmas 2022 with the cost anticipated to be around £5 million.[13] In May 2023, the Environment Agency announced completion of structural repair work to the flood barrier, with cosmetic improvements involving local stone cladding underway and the A6 road expected to be re-opened in September.[14]

See also

References
  1. Council, Derbyshire Dales District. "Matlock Bridge Conservation Area". Derbyshire Dales District Council. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  2. "inauthor:"Cassell and Company, ltd" - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. "MATLOCK BRIDGE (OVER RIVER DERWENT), Matlock Town - 1247890 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  4. "Matlock | Peak District Online". Peak District Online. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  5. Matlock Traffic and Transportation Strategy and Action Plan Derbyshire Dales District Council, December 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2021
  6. Cries to scrap Matlock's one–way system Matlock Mercury, 25 August 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2021
  7. Council, Derbyshire Dales District. "Matlock Bridge Conservation Area" (PDF). Derbyshire Dales District Council. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. Matlock Bridge Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme Derbyshire Dales District Council, January 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2021
  9. Collapsed Derbyshire flood wall repairs to cost over £3.5 million Derby Telegraph, 9 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022
  10. Bridge depicted by J.M.W. Turner gets modern barriers highwaysmagazine.co.uk, 11 November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022
  11. Road barriers protect medieval Peak District bridge – and its appearance Perimeter Security Suppliers Association, 9 November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022
  12. Matlock's giant crane christened Lifty McShifty as flood defence works go on Derbyshire Times, 29 September 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022
  13. Matlock £5m flood defence 'won't solve all problems' BBC News, 1 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022
  14. Matlock flood defence completed and flood protection reinstated Environment Agency, 23 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023
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