Description and History of Site:-
The Green Bridge is so called because it crosses the River Swale to the Richmond Green.
Although originally on the main road south from Richmond the bridge now only carries the minor road between Richmond and Leyburn via Halfpenny House.
The River Swale was anciently spanned at Richmond by a bridge described by Leland as having four arches, on the centre of which stood a small building where a watchman was stationed to alarm the town in times of danger. Tolls for the upkeep of the bridge were imposed on corn and cattle passing over it, and in 1622 these were let at 44s. a year. In 1739 the maintenance of the structure was placed in the hands of a number of Justices who were empowered to contract with workmen. The bridge was much damaged by flood in 1771 and was replaced in 1789 by the present stone structure, consisting of three 48 ft.(14.63m) spans having a total length of 186 ft. (56.69m). In 1933 the bridge had a 20 ft. 8 in. (6.33m) carriageway, one 2 ft. 8 in. (0.81m) footpath and another 3 ft. 1 in. (0.94m) wide. The bridge, which was constructed by T. Parkin to the design of John Carr, is of dressed ashlar, Gatherley Moor stone being used, and is founded upon a rock outcrop. The cost of construction, approximately £1,800.
In May 1974 Hatcher noted:- Marked tooling regular and absolutely vertical. Beautifully even voussoirs and semi-circular section hood moulds to arches. Semi-circular cutwaters.

Further Reading and References:-
British bridges, an Illustrated technical and historical record. Public Works Roads and Transport Congress London, 1933, p352.
Jervoise, E. The ancient bridges of the north of England. Architectural Press, 1931; reprinted by E. P. Publishing, 1973 p86.
YAHS - Hatcher Card Index. Research funded by the Yorkshire Arts Association 1972.
Hatcher, J. The industrial architecture of Yorkshire. Phillimore, 1985.

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Key Words :- road bridge river

Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from the public highway

Address :- Bridge Street, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4RW
Grid Ref :- NZ 16956 00589
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.400490 , Long -1.740326
Local Authority :- Richmondshire District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II*
Historic England List No - 1318388,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1789 -
Record Date :- 5 June 2015

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