A Bridge Apart...

William Pulteney commisioned the bridge to be built, connecting Bath with the newly built Georgian estate of Bathwick, which had been inherited by his wife in 1767. It stood for only 20 years in its original condition before being severly damaged by floods requiring a complete rebuild. Unimaginably today, it was suggested to be replaced with a single span cast iron bridge before they eventually settled on a less ambitious version of the original.

In 1903 the bridge suffered major change again as the western end was shortened to allow for Grand Parade to be widened.

This is evident today as the bridge is not symmetrical when viewed from the weir side as the central peak is closer to Grand Parade.