Wheel Birks Bridge (Broomley and Stocksfield)
[NZ 05245859] Wheel Birks Bridge (T.I.) (1)
There was a Roman bridge over the Stocksfield Burn now known as Wheelbirks. (2)
At the Stocksfield brook the present road appears to be about 30x below [east of] the Roman road. (3)
[NZ 05205860] Point where Dere Street crosses the Stocksfield Burn.(4)
No trace of any bridge or crossing at the point indicated by MacLauchlan. This is a most unlikely site for a bridge, the north bank of the burn being very steep and about 30ft high. The nearest point where this steep bank can be circumvented and a feasible crossing made is at the site occupied by the modern bridge. There is no trace of any older structure at this point. An inscription on the west parapet of the bridge reads '... bridge built 1890 again to strengthen this old Roman road'. From the topographical considerations and the alignment of the Roman road approaching the burn it is considered that the present bridge is probably on or very near the site of the Roman bridge. (5)
There was a Roman bridge over the Stocksfield Burn now known as Wheelbirks. (2)
At the Stocksfield brook the present road appears to be about 30x below [east of] the Roman road. (3)
[NZ 05205860] Point where Dere Street crosses the Stocksfield Burn.(4)
No trace of any bridge or crossing at the point indicated by MacLauchlan. This is a most unlikely site for a bridge, the north bank of the burn being very steep and about 30ft high. The nearest point where this steep bank can be circumvented and a feasible crossing made is at the site occupied by the modern bridge. There is no trace of any older structure at this point. An inscription on the west parapet of the bridge reads '... bridge built 1890 again to strengthen this old Roman road'. From the topographical considerations and the alignment of the Roman road approaching the burn it is considered that the present bridge is probably on or very near the site of the Roman bridge. (5)
N9840
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1956; E Geary
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