HOLT BRIDGE, Holt

Holt Bridge

Holt Bridge was one of seven Severn bridges designed by Thomas Telford and was the last remaining toll bridge in Worcestershire. In his ‘Guide to Worcestershire’, published in 1868, Noake says, ‘ there had been from time immemorial a ferry over the river at that point (Holt Fleet), till in 1826, Lord Foley laid the foundation stone of the present handsome bridge, which was opened in 1828.’

Holt Bridge has a span of 46 m and is rather similar to the Telford's Mythe Bridge near Tewkesbury. It was built by William Hazledine. In 1928 the bridge was widened and considerably strengthened by the addition of a curved sheet of concrete that was made around all the lower ribs. Concrete was also added around the upper ribs. It was a sensitive piece of repair work that allowed the bridge's original basic structure to show through.

The bridge was mined during the Second World War, so that it could be destroyed to thwart invading German troops. In addition holes were excavate in the road surface in order that anti-tank posts could be inserted. These holes appeared as 'ghosts' when the road-surface was deeply excavated as part of major carriageway repairs in 2004. One of the best-surviving examples of 6lb Gun emplacement still survives at Holt Fleet, where it was sited to protect Holt Bridge as part of the 'Severn Stop Line'. The gun mount is still in place.

Tank-trap post holes (four in foreground) on Holt Fleet Bridge

Gun Emplacement next to Holt Fleet Bridge

The bridge is a listed structure. The listing reads 'Holt Fleet Bridge (that part 12.11.51 in Malvern Hills District) II Bridge. 1828 by Thomas Telford, widened in 1928. Coursed sandstone rubble, sandstone ashlar, concrete and cast iron. Single span on small cross frame- work with large cross framework in spandrels. Sandstone abutments have 3 battered buttresses each side, with flood archways between, and each buttress has square sectioned concrete pier above with ridged capping. Abutments terminate each side in angled wall which sweeps down and out from roadway and is stopped by square pier with pyramidal capping. Cast iron railings with dog rails run full length of bridge, interrupted by concrete piers at ends.'