Bridgend Old Bridge

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of a bridge dating to the medieval period. It is a pedestrian bridge spanning the River Ogwr a short way downstream from New Bridge.

It is of rubble construction, part-coursed with a ramped and part-cobbled single carriageway footpath. There are two segmental arches with voussoirs of 15th century origins with later rebuilding. A bridge existed in 1452 and Leland mentions a stone bridge of 4 arches in 1539. The flood of August 1775 demolished the western two arches which were replaced by a single arch creating the present asymmetry.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval and post-medieval construction techniques and transportation systems. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.