- Perry Bridge
Infobox Bridge
bridge_name= Perry Bridge
carries= Now only pedestrian
crosses= River Tame
locale=Perry Barr ,Birmingham ,England
maint=Birmingham City Council
id= |design= |mainspan= |length= convert|50|m|ft|0
width= convert|4|m|ft|0
height= |load= |clearance= |below=
traffic= |begin=
complete= 1711
open= |closed= |toll= |map_cue= |map_
coordinates= coord|52.52534|-1.89711|display=inline,title
lat= |long=Perry Bridge, also known as the Zig Zag Bridge, is a
bridge over the River Tame inPerry Barr ,Birmingham ,England . Built in 1711, it is said to be the oldest surviving structure in Birmingham. [http://www.bmagic.org.uk/objects/1966P23 BM&AG: View of Cottages near Perry Bridge, Perry Barr] ] "The Story of Erdington: From Sleepy Hamlet to Thriving Suburb", Douglas V. Jones, 1985, Westwood Press Publications (ISBN 0948025050)] It is ascheduled ancient monument and a Grade IIlisted building . [IoEentry|216726|Entry onImages of England ]The bridge was built, in the 18th century, of red sandstone in a packhorse style. It is believed that it is the bridge built by order of the
Staffordshire Quarter Sessions , held in 1709, to take the place of a 'wood horse bridge' (Perry Barr was inStaffordshire until 1928). It is said to have been built by Sir Henry Gough. A bridge has been on the spot since Roman times as this was the exact spot whereRyknild Street crossed the river, however, today the road is known as "Aldridge Road".References to this crossing go as early as 1509 when there was a mention of a field, named Bridge Meadow, being located near Perry Bridge."Birmingham Faces and Places (1891)" (Volume 3)]
The bridge is convert|50|m|ft|0 in length and convert|4|m|ft|0 wide. The parapets on each side rise nearly convert|1|m|ft|0. It is now open only to pedestrian traffic. It features on the badge of
Handsworth Grammar School .A replacement bridge, in
Art Deco style, built in 1932, stands alongside.References
* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=14109&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=11470#perrybridge Birmingham City Council: Perry Bridge]
* [http://sabre.dadge.fotopic.net/p12983445.html 1905 Staffordshire County Council warning sign]
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.asp?compid=55193&sheetid=10082&zm=1&ox=1848&oy=905 British History Online: 1890 Ordnance Survey 1:2,500: Epoch 1]
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