imported>Howard Cheni: Article use correction.

2025-06-15T18:40:55Z

Article use correction.

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{{Short description|Road bridge over river in centre of Matlock town}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2021}}
[[File:Matlock Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 937223.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|alt=Close up of natural stone arched bridge and tapered piers over river on a sunny day with blue sky|Matlock Bridge with [[Pier (architecture)|piers]] V-shaped as [[Starling (structure)|cutwaters]]]]
'''Matlock Bridge''' also known as '''Derwent Bridge''', is a [[Bridge|stone bridge]] spanning the [[River Derwent, Derbyshire|River Derwent]] in [[Matlock, Derbyshire|Matlock]] town centre, [[Derbyshire]], England.<ref name="DDDC">{{Cite web|last=Council|first=Derbyshire Dales District|title=Matlock Bridge Conservation Area|url=https://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/planning-a-building-control/conservation/conservation-areas/matlock-bridge|access-date=2021-03-19|website=Derbyshire Dales District Council|language=en-gb}}</ref> The bridge dates back to the 15th century,<ref>{{Cite web|title=inauthor:"Cassell and Company, ltd" - Google Search|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en-us&tbm=bks&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22Cassell+and+Company,+ltd%22|access-date=2021-03-19|website=www.google.com}}</ref> and is a Grade II* listed structure.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MATLOCK BRIDGE (OVER RIVER DERWENT), Matlock Town - 1247890 {{!}} Historic England|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1247890|access-date=2021-03-19|website=historicengland.org.uk|language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
A [[Ford (crossing)|ford]] originally crossed the river at this point, and the side became a major crossing point. A settlement developed around the bridge, known as Matlock Bridge, which later became part of modern Matlock.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Matlock {{!}} Peak District Online|language=en-GB|work=Peak District Online|url=https://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/matlock/|access-date=2021-03-19}}</ref>{{better source|date=March 2021|reason=Commercial directory promoting the area may not be WP:RS (a reliable source)}}

The bridge was made into one-way for vehicles in 2007.<ref>[https://derbyshiredales.gov.uk/images/documents/M/Matlock%20Traffic%20and%20Transport%20Strategy.pdf Matlock Traffic and Transportation Strategy and Action Plan] Derbyshire Dales District Council, December 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.matlockmercury.co.uk/news/cries-scrap-matlocks-one-way-system-2271140 Cries to scrap Matlock's one–way system] ''[[Matlock Mercury]]'', 25 August 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2021</ref>
[[File:Dale Road Matlock August 2010.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Single carriageway road on a slight curve stretching into the distance lined with stone-fronted buildings used by shops and a hotel on the right, with a parked motorhome and car to the left|[[Matlock, Derbyshire#Dale Road|Dale Road]] ([[A6 road (England)|A6]]) in 2010, close to the edge of Matlock Bridge Conservation Area looking towards the bridge itself, showing some of the independent shops and businesses<ref name="DDDC2">{{Cite web|last=Council|first=Derbyshire Dales District|title=Matlock Bridge Conservation Area|url=https://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/images/documents/M/Matlock%20Bridge%20Conservation%20Area%20Map.pdf|access-date=2021-04-02|website=Derbyshire Dales District Council|language=en-gb}}</ref>]]
Matlock Bridge Conservation Area was established in 1989, but was further widened in 2008 and includes an area on both sides of the river.<ref name="DDDC2"/> It contains 283 buildings, of which three are [[Listed buildings|listed structures]], including the bridge itself.<ref name="DDDC"/><ref>[https://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/images/documents/M/Matlock%20Bridge%20Conservation%20Area%20Appraisal%202003.pdf Matlock Bridge Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme] [[Derbyshire Dales District Council]], January 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2021</ref>

In May 2022, the [[Environment Agency]] announced nearby repair work to failed flood defences close to the bridge and immediately alongside the River Derwent would mean the bridge returning to two-way traffic for a temporary period.<ref>[https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/collapsed-derbyshire-flood-wall-repairs-7056206 Collapsed Derbyshire flood wall repairs to cost over £3.5 million] ''[[Derby Telegraph]]'', 9 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022</ref> Additionally, the bridge's superstructure was altered to include the installation of a safety [[Parapets#Bridge parapets|vehicle restraint system]], a run of fabricated steel side-barriers to protect pedestrians and the bridge fabric from any damage from passing traffic.<ref>[https://www.highwaysmagazine.co.uk/Bridge-depicted-by-J.M.W.-Turner-gets-modern-barriers-/10970 Bridge depicted by J.M.W. Turner gets modern barriers] highwaysmagazine.co.uk, 11 November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022</ref><ref>[https://pssasecurity.org/road-barriers-protect-medieval-peak-district-bridge-and-its-appearance/ Road barriers protect medieval Peak District bridge – and its appearance] Perimeter Security Suppliers Association, 9 November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022</ref>

With no direct access to the repair-site, a major contributor to the scheme was 'Lifty McShifty', an 800-[[Long ton|ton]] crane sited on Derwent Way, a short closed section of the [[A6 road (England)#Leicester–Peak District|A6 road]], used to position plant and materials as needed.<ref>[https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/environment/matlocks-giant-crane-christened-lifty-mcshifty-as-flood-defence-works-go-on-3860749 Matlock's giant crane christened Lifty McShifty as flood defence works go on] ''[[Derbyshire Times]]'', 29 September 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022</ref> The project is expected to be halfway-completed by Christmas 2022 with the cost anticipated to be around [[Pound sterling|£]]5 million.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-63812823 Matlock £5m flood defence 'won't solve all problems'] ''[[BBC News]]'', 1 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022</ref> In May 2023, the Environment Agency announced completion of structural repair work to the flood barrier, with cosmetic improvements involving local stone cladding underway and the A6 road expected to be re-opened in September.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/matlock-flood-defence-completed-and-flood-protection-reinstated Matlock flood defence completed and flood protection reinstated] [[Environment Agency]], 23 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023</ref>

==See also==
*[[Grade II* listed buildings in Derbyshire Dales]]
*[[Listed buildings in Matlock Town]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Matlock Bridge}}

{{coord|53.1379|-1.5561|type:landmark_region:UK|display=title}}

[[Category:Bridges across the River Derwent, Derbyshire]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in Derbyshire]]
[[Category:History of Derbyshire]]

{{UK-bridge-struct-stub}}

Matlock Bridge - Revision history

imported>Howard Cheni: Article use correction.