Refurbishment of historic bridge at Myton-on-Swale

June 2003

The Historic bridge at Myton-on-Swale, near Boroughbridge, has been refurbished at a cost of more than £350,000 - with the help of 20,000 specially made bricks from the York Handmade Brick Company. The company, based at Alne, near Easingwold, provided the intricate brickwork in a project which has restored Myton Bridge to its former Victorian glory.  David Armitage, the chairman of York Handmade, commented: 

'We were commissioned by Mouchel to undertake this challenging task a couple of years ago.  The bricks also passed the close scrutiny of English Heritage. We have been proud to help recreate a piece of history in Myton, as well as providing an important crossing point over the River Swale.  It is particularly pleasing that Hambleton District and North Yorkshire's only brickmaker was able to come up with the desired result".  "We used our Renovation Brick, which have a weathered look almost identical to the original Victorian bricks.  The original bricks were machine made in an unusual size and we have made sure that we have replicated them.  The result is a 21st century bridge which has a quintessentially Victorian character," he explained.

The York Handmade Brick Company, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, worked with a team including North Yorkshire County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Hambleton District Council and the Friends of Myton Bridge.

The bridge was originally built in 1868 for Major Henry Miles Stapylton, the Lord of the Manor.  Myton Bridge carries a public bridleway over the River Swale and links the village with Ellenthorpe and Boroughbridge to Easingwold railway at Myton Gates.

It is more than 200ft long with a central span of 100ft.  The central span is made of three curved cast iron ribs 2ft 6ins deep.  The infill panels above the ribs include a replica of the Stapylton Family Coat of Arms.  The original bridge contained about 70 tons of cast iron and wrought iron and cost just over £2,000.  It was declared unsafe for public use in 1998.  It remained in private ownership until last year when it was taken over by the County Council.

Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, officially reopened the bridge earlier this month.

Councillor Peter Sawray, the County Council's Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: "I'm pleased that the bridge has been sensitively restored for the good of the local community.  It is an historic feature which has attracted a lot of local attention.  I'm pleased that so many different organisations were able to contribute towards the refurbishment".

For further information, please contact David Armitage at the York Handmade Brick Company on 01347 838881 or Robert Beaumont of Robert Beaumont Associates on 10423 323139.