Thorp Arch Bridge (sometimes known locally as Boston Spa Bridge) is a stone arch bridge opened in 1770 across the
River Wharfe
The River Wharfe ( ) is a river in Yorkshire, England originating within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. For much of its middle course it is the county boundary between West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. Its valley is known as Wharfedale.
...
linking the
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan and ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and Humber Region of England. It is an inland and upland county having eastward-draining valleys while taking in the moors of the Pennines. West Yorkshire came into exi ...
villages of
Boston Spa
Boston Spa is a Village and civil parish in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. Situated south of Wetherby, Boston Spa is on the south bank of the River Wharfe which separates it from Thorp Arch. According to th ...
on the southbank and
Thorp Arch
Thorp Arch is a village and civil parish near Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough.
It sits in the Wetherby ward of Leeds City Council and Elmet and Rothwell parliamentary constituency.
The village is on ...
on the north.
Description
Thorp Arch bridge has five arched spans, two of which are over the current course of the river Wharfe is built of Ashlar
magnesian limestone
The Magnesian Limestone is a suite of carbonate rocks in north-east England dating from the Permian period. The outcrop stretches from Nottingham northwards through Yorkshire and into County Durham where it is exposed along the coast between Ha ...
. The central arch has triangular cutwaters which accommodate pedestrian refuges in the parapets (the bridge has a footpath only to its upstream side), the remaining piers have cutwaters terminating in offsets.
The bridge carries the 7 bus route from Harrogate to Leeds via Wetherby, which is operated by the
Harrogate Bus Company
The Harrogate Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire ...
.
Cracks
In February 2022, the bridge was briefly closed due to cracks appearing in the road surface.
See also
*
List of crossings of the River Wharfe
*
Listed buildings in Boston Spa
Boston Spa is a civil parish in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The parish contains 58 Listed building#England and Wales, listed buildings that are recorded in the National Heritage List for England. All ...
*
Listed buildings in Thorp Arch
Thorp Arch is a civil parish in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The parish contains 27 listed buildings that are recorded in the National Heritage List for England
The National Heritage List for Englan ...
References
External links
British Listed Buildings
{{Crossings navbox
, structure = Bridges
, place =
River Wharfe
The River Wharfe ( ) is a river in Yorkshire, England originating within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. For much of its middle course it is the county boundary between West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. Its valley is known as Wharfedale.
...
, bridge = Thorp Arch Bridge
, bridge signs =
, upstream = Leys Lane Bridge
, upstream signs =
, downstream = Thorp Arch rail bridge
, downstream signs =
Bridges in West Yorkshire
Grade II listed buildings in West Yorkshire
Grade II listed bridges
River Wharfe
Boston Spa