Bridge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Now largely obscured small road bridge (formerly over a short stretch of railway from the Scrabo quarry) on the Scrabo Road on the SW edge of Newtownards. Very little can now be seen of this bridge. On the E side the ground level appears to have been raised (mainly due to the building of dwelling houses) and all that can be seen of the bridge on this side is the uppermost portion of a sandstone arch which has had a large tie rod inserted. To the W side the remains of a sandstone parapet is still partly visible, but is largely smothered in greenery. Beyond this side the ground level falls appear sharply, but due to the presence of rampant tree and shrub growth nothing can be discerned of this face of the bridge.

Historical information

The revised OS Map of 1858-60 shows that under this bridge once ran a short railway line which linked to the main Newtownards to Comber line a short distance to the south. This short line was apparently used to transport stone from the quarry on Scrabo hill to the main line and thence to the centre of Newtownards itself and beyond. At this stage, however, this small bridge over the line had not been constructed, as this section of what is now the Scrabo road did not cross the line was originally orientated slightly further westwards. Thus the bridge dates from a later period (?1900) when the line of the road was straightened, a move which necessitated its crossing the track.
The ground level on the E side of the bridge has been heightened during recent years to facilitate the building of houses and all trace of the former track (along with much of the bridge) seems to have disappeared.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS Maps 1st rev. 1858-60, Co. Down 5.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Small sandstone road bridge formerly spanning a short stretch of railway line from Scrabo quarry, now largely obscured, on the east side by the raising of the ground level, and on the west by rampant greenery.