Cut Bridge, Bretton Hall
This is an early cast iron arch bridge on the former Bretton Hall estate, crossing The Cut (the canalised River Dearne). The estate is now home to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Designer and maker unknown. Certain features reflect the design of three other early cast iron arch bridges in Yorkshire (Newlay Bridge, 1819, Walton Hall Bridge, 1828, and Gasworks Bridge (Sowerby Bridge), 1816). The similar features are: radial spandrel ribs; H- or ]-section rib castings; ribs spring from inclined masonry abutments. The other bridges are of long span and light, elegant construction, whereas Cut Bridge is relatively short and wide, with no less than eight substantial arch ribs.
An unusual feature, possibly unique in early iron bridges, can be seen in the last photograph: it is the use of a bolted tongue and groove connection between the end of each arch rib and the springing plate. The reason for this arrangement is unclear.