Jarrow Bridge Explained

Fetchwikidata:	ALL
Onlysourced:	no
Id:	1355092
Id Type:	National Heritage List for England

Jarrow Bridge (or previously, Don Bridge) is a bridge in Jarrow, South Tyneside, England. Built from stone in the early 18th century, it previously carried the main road from South Shields to Jarrow across the River Don. It is registered as a grade II listed building.^[1]

Location

The bridge served St Paul's Church on the north side. The south side now leads to an industrial estate and is blocked off.

Construction

The present bridge was built in the early 18th century. It was repaired sometime between 1781 and 1783 by William Allison, and from 1805 work was carried out to widen the bridge.

Explosion

On 21 May 1921 a bomb was planted by members of the IRA on the bridge, which subsequently exploded, causing a hole "18 inches by 18" in the gas main.^{[2] [3]} The attack was carried out by John Ward and Martin Flaherty of Jarrow (A Company).

Restoration

The bridge was restored in 1998-9 by South Tyneside Council with a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund of £115300.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: JARROW BRIDGE (TYNE AND WEAR COUNTY COUNCIL BRIDGE NO 433), South Tyneside - 1355092 Historic England. 2020-09-18. historicengland.org.uk. en.
2. News: 23 May 1921. Gas-main blown up. Evening Chronicle.
3. Web site: Brennan. Patrick. Tyneside's forgotten fight for Irish freedom. 2020-09-18. The Irish Times. en.
4. Web site: Jarrow Bridge Restoration Scheme The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 2020-09-18. www.heritagefund.org.uk.