Auld's Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Single-span railway bridge over Hawthorne Road, dated 1933, now located within Three Mile Water Park.

Bridge constructed of reinforced concrete; smooth to elevations and lined to soffits. Arch is segmental-headed with chamfered formwork line above, creating surround. Bridge is dated 1933 to raised keystone section on each elevation. Piers are splayed to base. Bridge has no parapet; carriageway has modern steel handrail to elevations. Carriageway is approximately 6m wide.

Setting

Bridge set within public park. Main Road runs parallel to railway to the north.

Historical information

'This reinforced-concrete bridge was built in 1933 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co (Northern Counties Committee) as part of its 'Greenisland Loop' scheme. This scheme involved the laying of a track between Whiteabbey, on the Belfast-Carrickfergus line (opened 1848), and Monkstown, on the Belfast-Antrim line (also 1848). Until the opening of the loop in 1934, Antrim-bound trains ran to Greencastle, then reversed all the way to Antrim. Not only did the loop do away with the need to reverse, but it also shortened the journey by some 2.5 miles. The loop scheme has been described as "one of the most significant examples of modern railway architecture in the British Isles' (W.A. McCutcheon, The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland: 214, note 174, 1980 (Belfast: HMSO). It was directed by NCC's resident engineer W.K. Wallace.

Several other reinforced-concrete bridges were also erected in connection with the loop scheme: Bleach Green Junction (1931-33), Jordanstown Road (1931), Jennings Park (1931), and Mossley (1933). The loop line remained in regular service until 1976 when Belfast's Central Railway was opened. Antrim-bound trains were subsequently re-routed via Lisburn and Crumlin. The line is still in periodic use for goods trains, and it is intended to reopen it for passenger services once the new Central-York St. station linkup is completed.’

‘...Most of Ireland's early ferro-concrete bridges were designed by Mouchel and Partners, using the Hennebique system...’ from 'Industrial Ireland 1750-1930 An Archaeology' by Colin Rynne p.335

References:

Secondary Sources

1. Hammond, F.W. First Survey Information 18 August 1994.
2. Rynne, Colin. Industrial Ireland 1750-1930 An Archaeology. Collins Press, 2006
3. McCutcheon, W.A. The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland. 1980

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
G. Innovatory Qualities
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
Z. Rarity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A concrete single-span railway bridge constructed using in-situ concrete with textures created by different formworks. The bridge is modern in appearance and retains its original character and technical beauty. The bridge displays the clean lines and influences of the International architecture of the time. Its structure demonstrates a use of mass reinforced concrete as opposed to concrete framing that is unusual on this particular line. The bridge is located within a park and represents a significant development in transport network in the area.