Llandrinio Bridge

{{short description|Grade I listed bridge in Llandrinio, Powys, Wales}}

{{Infobox bridge

|bridge_name = Llandrinio

|native_name = Pont Llandrinio
Bridge in Wales

|native_name_lang = cy

|image = Bridge at Llandrinio - geograph.org.uk - 462334.jpg

|image_upright = 1.3

|caption =

|carries = Road traffic

|crosses = River Severn

|locale = Llandrinio, Powys, Wales

|id =

|designer = John Gwynn

|design =

|material = Old Red Sandstone

|length = {{convert|45.00|m|abbr=on}}

|width={{convert|3.75|m|abbr=on}}

|height =

|load =

|spans = 3

|pierswater = 2

|clearance =

|below =

|traffic =

|begin = 1769

|complete = 1775

|open =

|closed =

|toll =

|coordinates = {{coord|52.7459|-3.0407|region:GB|display=inline,title}}

|extra = {{Designation list

| embed = yes

| designation1 = Grade I listed building

| designation1_offname = Llandrinio Bridge

| designation1_type =

| designation1_criteria =

| designation1_date = 26 October 1953

| delisted1_date =

| designation1_number = 7666

| designation2 = Scheduled Monument

| designation2_offname = Llandrinio Bridge

| designation2_type =

| designation2_criteria =

| designation2_date = 26 October 1953

| delisted2_date =

| designation2_number = MG046}}

}}

Llandrinio Bridge, Llandrinio, Powys, Wales, is a road bridge over the River Severn. Constructed between 1769 and 1775, the bridge is attributed to John Gwynn of Shrewsbury, a noted local architect who designed a number of crossings over the Severn, as well as Magdalen Bridge in Oxford. The bridge is also the site of defensive structures dating to World War II, including a pillbox disguised as an agricultural cowshed and Dragon's teeth tank traps at its northern end. The bridge is a Grade I listed structure and a Scheduled monument.

History and description

Archdeacon Thomas, in his History of the Parish of Llandrinio published in 1895, suggested that the site of Llandrinio Bridge represented an ancient crossing, and identified a reference to a medieval ferry in a charter of 1309.{{cite web|url=https://cpat.org.uk/ycom/mont/llandrinio.pdf|title=Llandrinio|publisher=Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust|accessdate=27 March 2021}} The present bridge was built between 1769 and 1775, almost certainly to the designs of John Gwynn.{{efn|Scourfield and Haslam only go so far as to suggest that the bridge is "probably by John Gywnn",{{sfn|Scourfield|Haslam|2013|p=141}} a caution shared by Cadw.{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=7666 |desc=Llandrinio Bridge |grade=I|access-date=27 March 2021}}}}{{sfn|Scourfield|Haslam|2013|p=141}} Gwynn, a native of Shrewsbury, designed a number of crossings over the River Severn, including the English Bridge in his home town,{{NHLE |num=1271479|desc=English Bridge|grade=II*|accessdate=27 March 2021}} and Atcham Bridge in Shropshire.{{NHLE |num=1176588 |desc=Atcham Bridge|grade=II*|accessdate=27 March 2021}} He also worked in Oxford, designing the Covered Market{{NHLE |num=1380159|desc=The Covered Market, Oxford|grade=II|accessdate=27 March 2021}} and Magdalen Bridge.{{NHLE |num=1369360|desc=Magdalen Bridge|grade=II*|accessdate=27 March 2021}}

At the outbreak of World War II, plans were made for the defence of Britain in the event of a German invasion. In the west, a defensive line, Western Command Stop Line No.1, followed the line of the Severn from Tewkesbury to Shrewsbury.{{cite web|url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/dob/ai_full_r.cfm?refno=3211&CFID=aeac247e-bef4-4e52-9429-f7e03eb17c6f&CFTOKEN=0|title=Defence of Britain Archive - Llandrinio Pillbox|publisher=Council for British Archaeology|date=1 July 1995}} The line crossed the river at Llandrinio, and the bridge was fortified with a pillbox disguised as an agricultural shed and Dragon's teeth tank traps at its northern end.{{Coflein|num=270336 |desc=Pill Box, Llandrinio |access-date=29 September 2021}}

The Severn at Llandrinio is susceptible to flooding, which can lead to frequent closure of the bridge.{{cite web|url=https://riverlevels.uk/river-severn-llandrinio-community-llandrinio|title=Severn at Llandrinio|publisher=River Levels UK|accessdate=27 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://floodassist.co.uk/flood-warnings/flood-area-info/shropshire/103fwfse170/river-severn-at-llandrinio|title=Severn at Llandrinio|publisher=FloodAssist|accessdate=27 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/17507573.flooding-problems-llandrinio-bridge-b4393/|title=Flooding problems on Llandrinio Bridge on the B4393|first=Nick|last=Knight|publisher=Powys County Times|date=17 March 2019}} In 2015, particularly severe flooding led to fears that the bridge was at risk of collapse.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-34977147|title=Llandrinio Bridge in Powys closed over collapse fear|publisher=BBC News|date=1 December 2015}} Subsequent investigations showed that several of the bridge's keystones had been removed by the floodwaters and a major programme of structural repair was required.{{cite web|url=https://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/15853773.ancient-llandrinio-bridge-closed-off-due-to-major-structural-damage/|title=Ancient Llandrinio Bridge closed off due to 'major structural damage'|first=Robert|last=Doman|publisher=Oswestry & Border Counties Advertiser|date=9 December 2015}}

Llandrinio Bridge is constructed of pink sandstone. Three arches span the river at a length of 45 metres.{{Coflein|num=24234 |desc=Llandrinio Bridge |access-date=29 September 2021|fewer-links=yes}} Scourfield and Haslam, in their Powys volume of the Pevsner Buildings of Wales, describe Llandrinio as a "humped narrow roadway, yet a most graceful line when seen from the [river] bank."{{sfn|Scourfield|Haslam|2013|p=141}} The bridge is a Grade I listed structure and a Scheduled monument.{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=7666 |desc=Llandrinio Bridge |grade=I|access-date=27 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://ancientmonuments.uk/130245-llandrinio-bridge-llandrinio#.YF8ZD6_7SUk|title=Llandrinio Bridge|publisher=Scheduled Monuments UK|accessdate=27 March 2021}}