The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East has launched a new and unusual leaflet celebrating the bridges of the Border region.
The colour leaflet, written by ICE North East’s Panel for Historical Engineering Works, gives insight into nine noteworthy historical Border Bridges across the Tweed and its tributaries; Whiteadder Water and the River Till.
Seven of the bridges actually span the English-Scottish border which, for a considerable distance runs through the middle of the river. This means that for each of the bridges, one side stands in the Scottish borders, the other in England’s northernmost county; Northumberland.
The leaflet details the background of each of these bridges, sharing little known facts about their history and engineering. On their completion, many of them held world or British records and a range of famous figures have built or visited the border bridges.
Leading Scottish engineer, Robert Stevenson, attended the opening of the Union Suspension Bridge in 1820. Thirty years later, Tyneside’s Robert Stephenson built the majestic Royal Border Bridge which opened by Queen Victoria in 1850, with the 160th anniversary landing on August 29, 2010.
The Royal Tweed Bridge was opened by Edward VIII (then Edward Prince of Wales) while the rebuilding of the Old Berwick Bridge in stone was ordered by James I who had to cross a dilapidated wooden structure to travel to his coronation. Coldstream Bridge is the site of a plaque commemorating the crossing of Robert Burns as he entered England for the first time in May 1787.
There are permitted footpaths for most of the length of the River Tweed from Coldstream to Tweedmouth, and along the Till and Whiteadder Water, making it easy to enjoy these feats of engineering and the surrounding countryside.
A route visiting each of the bridges would be approximately 20 miles whilst one showcasing just the seven on the River Tweed would be around 16 miles.
Selecting the top nine was not an easy task. Stephen Larkin, Regional Director, ICE North East said: “The list of bridges worth noting in the border counties is endless but the final nine are all particularly impressive structurally.”
He continued: “The bridges on our Historic Border Bridges map demonstrate the impressive engineering heritage of the region. By creating the leaflet we hope more people will visit, appreciate and be inspired by the structures.”
Anybody who would like a copy of the leaflet can contact ICE North East on 0191-2611850 or icene@ice.org.uk. Copies are also being made available at tourist information centres and public buildings around the Berwick area.
Download a copy of the Historic Border Bridges Leaflet