consisted rather of two bridges (being divided by an island of 118 feet
broad), extending 864 feet in length, and comprising seventeen arches.
The thoroughfare over it in the widest part was only twelve feet, being
impeded by a range of thirty-three houses disposed on each side, after
the manner of London Bridge in former times.
The further bridge from the town had eleven arches, and was properly
denominated: “THE ABBEY BRIDGE” for it extended to the precinct of the
monastery, and passed over none of the water of the Severn except in
times of flood, receiving only a small portion of a rivulet called Meole
Brook, the channel of which is still visible in the meadows opposite the
Council House.
The narrow state of this bridge having been long matter of complaint and
inconvenience, a subscription was commenced in 1765 to widen it, towards
which Sir John Astley, Bart. gave £1000.
The expediency of the undertaking was so apparent, from the liberal
subscriptions which came in from all parts of the county, that
encouragement was given to erect an entire new bridge, from a design
furnished by Mr. John Gwynn, architect, of London, and a native of
Shrewsbury. The first stone of the bridge was laid June 29th, 1769, by
the munificent promoter of the undertaking, Sir John Astley, Bart; and
the work was so far completed as to afford a passage (March 14th, 1774)
for the High Sheriff, John Owen, Esq. of Woodhouse, and a numerous body
of gentlemen on horseback who accompanied him to meet the judges of
assize, whom they escorted into town over the new bridge, since styled