Three Rivers Cycleway - Bridges

River Derwent

The River Derwent rises 518 metres above sea level in the heart of the North Pennines.
One third of its 35 mile (56 km) route runs no further than 3/4 mile from the
Derwent Walk before entering the River Tyne near Swalwell.
The river is very healthy and supports a wide range of wildlife including kingfisher, dipper and otter.

The Derwent Valley Railway
The Derwent Valley Railway was opened in 1867 after three years' hard building work. Four viaducts were constructed and a deep, 800 metres long cutting was dug near Rowlands Gill. (now infilled)

Stations were built at Shotley Bridge, Ebchester, High Westwood, Lintz Green, Rowlands Gill
and Swalwell. At its peak the railway was carrying over half a million passengers a year with a
regular goods traffic of timber, bricks and coal to Newcastle and iron ore to Consett.
As road traffic became more efficient the service declined until the line finally closed in 1962.

The trackbed was later reclaimed and converted into the Derwent Walkway.

Nine Arches Viaduct

The Nine Arches Viaduct was one of the major engineering feats of the railway.

It is five hundred feet long and was built because the Earl of Strathmore would not allow the railway to pass through the Gibside Estate.

NCN 14 crosses this viaduct

There are other viaducts at Rowlands Gill over the River Derwent and
near Hamsterley Mill over the Pont Burn and Fogoes Burn.

NCN 14 passes over all three viaducts affording magnificent views over the valley far below.

Swalwell (Clavering) Old Bridge

Stone hump back bridge c1778 with three segmental arches with a total span of 150 ft. with pointed cutwaters curved up to hexagonal retreats which are corbelled and panelled. Road width of 15 ft. between parapets, formally on the main road to Hexham. It is still in use but for access only and is a Grade 2 listed structure.

NCN14 used to cross this bridge but
now passes the west end along the riverbank

Swalwell New Hexham Road Bridge

Replacement road bridge (1936) viewed from the Clavering Bridge with Pipe Bridge in foreground.

NCN 14 passes under this bridge along the west bank of the River Derwent.

Swalwell Water Pipe Bridge

A fanciful structure with two riser towers faced in stone. The three spans are of wrought iron lattice girders with fancy cast iron spandrals, built to carry a cast iron water pipe over the river - c1880?
No longer in use.

NCN 14 passes on the west bank.

Swalwell Suspension Footbridge

Built in 1903 a steel suspension bridge was built to link the allotments on each side of the river
and known locally as the Hikey Bridge.

Two steel towers support wire ropes and a timber deck, with a span of 121 ft. and 5 ft. wide.

Close to NCN 14 near the A1(T) road viaduct

Swalwell Rail Viaduct

Only the river spans now remain - the land arches and approach embankments having been swept away for housing, retail parks and light industrial units.

NCN 14 used to pass under this bridge along the east bank but can be seen from the west bank route.

A1(T) Viaduct and A1114 Road Bridges

A1(T) road viaduct - Western Bypass
NCN 14 passes under this viaduct

A1114 Road Bridge
NCN 14 passes under this on the west bank

Functional beam bridges built for the A1 Western Bypass scheme around Gateshead and Newcastle.

Derwenthaugh Rail and Foot / Cycle Bridge

Carries the Newcastle to Carlisle railway over the mouth of the River Derewnt - extensivly restored 2003 when the rivers piers and bridge deck were strengthened.

The foot/cycle bridge is on the upstream side.

Situated at the mouth of the River Derwent
NCN 14 passes over this bridge
with the link route to NCN 72 passing below it.