There are hopes the ancient ruins of the old Trent Bridge in Nottingham could one day be better celebrated after being left overgrown and littered with rubbish.
The ancient archways sit next to London Road in West Bridgford, where London Road meets Radcliffe Road and Loughborough Road, date back to the medieval period.
The first bridge is thought to have been constructed on the site in 920. A second bridge which was started in 1156 had more than 20 stone arches and a chapel dedicated to St. James at one end.
It was maintained by a religious organisation. On 21 February 1551 the responsibility for repair passed to Nottingham Corporation, through a Royal Charter which created the Bridge Estate.
It was known as Hethbeth bridge, Heath-beth bridge, or Heck-beck bridge
In the late 1860s, the old stone bridge, parts of which dated back 1364, had become too damaged by flooding and was declared unfit for the amount of traffic using it.
The current iron Trent Bridge was finished in 1870 to replace it.
For a while, both bridges ran adjacent to one another, before the stone structure was demolished. Two arches were preserved and rebuilt in a hollow on the West Bridgford side as a monument.
While it is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England, meaning it is a nationally important archaeological site, it is currently overgrown and littered with rubbish.
“It is a landmark, and it should be there to be made aware of by the public,” says Iain Seedhouse, the chairman of West Bridgford & District Local History Society.
“People do walk across there to Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, but the trouble is it is right where the traffic is, so people are too focused on that.
“It does seem strange it was left in the location that it was. It is an important historical feature that should be appreciated and should be managed better than it is at the moment.
“It would be great if we could get the community more aware of it.
“We could arrange city walks to appreciate and highlight these features. But the councils should become more actively involved, and we would be interested in coming to a mutual agreement.
“I understand resources are stretched with councils, so we could get the community to help.”
The ancient archways sit on land owned by Nottinghamshire County Council, while Rushcliffe Borough Council is responsible for cleaning the site, and Labour-run Nottingham City Council cuts the grass.
Rushcliffe Borough Council said it would be reviewing litter-picking schedules in the area and would be interested in any future projects to celebrate the monument.
A spokesperson said: “We’re always keen to explore any part of the borough’s history and not least a site that is such a landmark to so many.
“We don’t own the land, but we will be interested in any future projects connected to the bridge. Its location next to busy roads would need to be considered in more depth.
“Whilst the grass cutting is the responsibility of Nottingham City Council, our Streetwise team have visited recently to help clear litter, and we’ll review litter-picking schedules in the area.”
Ben Gray, a former Rushcliffe borough councillor and now member of the Nottingham Green Party, said the challenge of making something of the monument is the “traffic-clogged roads that surround it.”
“It’s sad such a significant part of Nottingham’s history is resigned to the centre of a scruffy road island,” he said.
“A large part of the Trent Bridge area is a wasted opportunity. With the cricket and football grounds, it must have one of the largest footfalls in the East Midlands, yet the design is entirely car-centric.”
It is thought the first crossing over the River Trent was constructed in the year 920, after being commissioned by Alfred the Great’s son, Edward the Elder.
The timber structure was developed on a number of occasions and later became known as the Hethbeth Bridge.
In 1300, Alice le Palmer, wife of the Mayor of Nottingham, helped maintain the bridge with the help of St John of Jerusalem, who ran a hospital and hostel in the city.
The bridge itself featured a chapel, as was common at the time, and by 1683 it was built entirely out of stone.
The current Trent Bridge is now maintained by the Bridge Estate charity, for which Nottingham City Council is the sole trustee.
Money for maintenance typically comes from the charity’s numerous property assets, many of which are based in Lister Gate.
A Nottinghamshire County Council spokesman said: “Our historic buildings team monitors the site regularly as it is a Scheduled Monument, the highest level of designated heritage protection available.
“If we need to carry out work in and around the site, we must get the green light from Historic England.
“We also work closely with Via, our Highways partner, on proposed work schedules near the site and other stakeholders who have a vested interest in Old Trent Bridge.”
Nottingham City Council was contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
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