Prebends Bridge (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Prebends Bridge, along with Framwellgate and Elvet, is one of three stone arch bridges in the centre of Durham, England, that cross the River Wear. Prebends Bridge was designed by George Nicholson and built from 1772 to 1778. It replaced a temporary bridge built after the footbridge, built in 1574, was swept away during a flood in 1771. Forming part of the estate of Durham Cathedral, the bridge is a Grade 1 listed building and is situated past the end of South Bailey, just after St Cuthbert's Society. Although the bridge is wide enough for vehicles, it is mainly used as a footbridge as it only leads to the Riverside paths and up to a closed road barrier to South Bailey. The bridge was restored from 1955 to 1956. An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side.