The History of Kettlewell Village - Arthur Raistrick

Bridges

The later roads were very dependent upon bridges, and the main river bridge, which some people find curiously named New Bridge, is in fact the new bridge built in 1605 when the road high up on the west bank of the river replaced the low level road, Hawkswick Head Lane.

By the New Bridge (which is worth close examination for the fine set of mason marks to be found upon it) the new road came to the village at Townfoot, and another but smaller bridge, Townfoot Bridge, was made across the beck so that the road could continue up the dale, or up the street to the north end of the old part of the village.

During the seventeenth century the bridge was frequently repaired at the cost of the County but the most serious damage came in the flood of 1686 in which part of Starbotton was overwhelmed. Kettlewell Bridge in the village was damaged.

"A certaine bridge formerly standing over a river wh. runs thro' the town of Kettlewell hath been carried away by the flood. Packmen from Lancashire are detained.''

£10 was levied for its replacement. It is interesting to note that packmen were coming to Kettlewell from Lancashire - this was probably from Lancaster by the old market road through Mewith to Settle, and then by Arncliffe.

When the main road right up Wharfedale was improved into the Ilkley to Askrigg Turnpike in the middle of the eighteenth century, the New Bridge became very important.

The Other Britain - The Dales