Thorp Arch Bridge

Thorp Arch Bridge (sometimes known locally as Boston Spa Bridge) is a stone arch bridge opened in 1770 across the River Wharfe linking the West Yorkshire villages of Boston Spa on the southbank and Thorp Arch on the north.

Thorp Arch Bridge
Coordinates	53°54′22″N 1°20′39″W
Carries	Bridge Road, Boston Spa
Crosses	River Wharfe
Locale	Thorp Arch and Boston Spa, West Yorkshire
Official name	Thorp Arch Bridge
Other name(s)	Boston Spa Bridge
Characteristics
Design	Arch bridge
Material	Ashlar Magnesian limestone
No. of spans	4
Piers in water	3
History
Opened	1770
Location

Description

Thorp Arch bridge has five arched spans built of magnesian limestone ashlar, two arches span the course of the River Wharfe. The central arch has triangular cutwaters which accommodate pedestrian refuges in the parapets, the bridge has a footpath only to its upstream side, the remaining piers have cutwaters terminating in offsets.^[1] The bridge was built to replace a ford and connect Thorpe Arch with the turnpike road which went through Boston Spa.^[2]

The bridge carries the No. 7 bus route from Harrogate to Leeds via Wetherby, which is operated by the Harrogate Bus Company.^[3]

Cracks

In February 2022, the bridge was briefly closed when cracks appeared in the road surface.^[4]

See also

• List of crossings of the River Wharfe
• Listed buildings in Boston Spa
• Listed buildings in Thorp Arch