‘Shame’ ancient Trent Bridge ruins not better appreciated and left littered with rubbish

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The ruins of the old Trent Bridge sit between the A60

By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter

There are hopes the ancient ruins of the old Trent Bridge in Nottingham could one day be better celebrated after being left overgrown and littered with rubbish.

The ancient archways sit next to the busy A60 in Nottingham, where London Road meets Loughborough Road, and date back to the medieval period.

In the late 1860s the old stone bridge, parts of which dated back to the 14th century, had become too damaged by flooding and it was declared unfit for the amount of traffic using it.

The current iron Trent Bridge of today had been built by 1870 to replace it.

For a while both bridges ran adjacent to one another, before the stone structure was demolished. Two arches were preserved in a hollow on the West Bridgford side as a monument.

While it is a designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England, meaning it is a nationally important archaeological site, it is currently overgrown and littered with rubbish.

“It is a landmark and it should be there to be made aware of for the public,” says Iain Seedhouse, the chairman of West Bridgford & District Local History Society.

Litter under one of the arches at the monument

“People do walk across there to Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, but the trouble is it is right where the traffic is, so people are too focused on that.

“It does seem strange it was left in the location that it was. It is an important historical feature that should be appreciated and should be managed better than it is at the moment.

“It would be great if we could get the community more aware of it.

“We could arrange city walks to appreciate and highlight these features. But the councils should become more actively involved and we would be interested in coming to a mutual agreement.

“I understand resources are stretched with councils, so we could get the community to help.”

The ancient archways sit on land owned by Conservative-run Nottinghamshire County Council, while Conservative-run Rushcliffe Borough Council is responsible for cleaning the site and Labour-run Nottingham City Council cuts the grass.

Rushcliffe Borough Council said it would be reviewing litter-picking schedules in the area, and would be interested in any future projects to celebrate the monument.

A spokesperson said: “We’re always keen to explore any part of the borough’s history and not least a site that is such a landmark to so many.

“We don’t own the land but will be interested in any future projects connected to the bridge, its location next to busy roads would need to be considered in more depth.

“Whilst the grass cutting is the responsibility of Nottingham City Council, our Streetwise team have visited recently to help clear litter, and we’ll review litter picking schedules in the area.”

Ben Gray, a former Rushcliffe borough councillor and now member of the Nottingham Green Party, said the challenge of making something of the monument is the “traffic-clogged roads that surround it”.

“It’s sad such a significant part of Nottingham’s history is resigned to the centre of a scruffy road island,” he said.

“A large part of the Trent Bridge area is a wasted opportunity. With the cricket and football ground it must have one of the largest footfalls in the East Midlands, yet the design is entirely car-centric.”

It is thought the first crossing over the River Trent was constructed in the year 920, after being commissioned by Alfred the Great’s son, Edward the Elder.

The timber structure was developed on a number of occasions and later became known as the Hethbeth Bridge.

In 1300 Alice le Palmer, wife of the Mayor of Nottingham, helped maintain the bridge with the help of St John of Jerusalem, who ran a hospital and hostel in the city.

The bridge itself featured a chapel, as was common at the time, and by 1683 it was built entirely out of stone.

The current Trent Bridge is now maintained by the Bridge Estate charity, for which Nottingham City Council is the sole trustee.

Money for maintenance typically comes from the charity’s numerous property assets, many of which are based in Lister Gate.

A Nottinghamshire County Council spokesman said: “Our historic buildings team monitor the site regularly as it is a Scheduled Monument, the highest level of designated heritage protection available.

“If we need to carry out work in and around the site, we must get the green light from Historic England.

“We also work closely with Via, our Highways partner, on proposed work schedules near the site and other stakeholders, who have a vested interest in Old Trent Bridge.”

Nottingham City Council was contacted for comment, but had not responded by the time of publication.

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