Chelmsford Bridge

Chelmsford Bridge, located in the Leura Cascades Recreational Reserve in the Blue Mountains, has been listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This recognition acknowledges the bridge's historical and engineering significance, particularly as an extant unreinforced concrete arch bridge. Chelmsford Bridge is understood to be the second, and last, unreinforced concrete arch road bridge built in New South Wales. Refer Section 3.3 of the CMP for the Comparative Analysis prepared by Dr Sid French, including Table 4 for non-exhaustive listing of masonary arch road bridges pre-1939.

Rendered with simple architectural detailing the bridge can be seen from important vantage points which enhance and show the bridge to be more than just functional but to be a beautiful built addition to the natural landscape.

The bridge construction was part of a major upgrade of the area beginning in 1911, in association with the construction of the Katoomba-Leura Baths which included the construction of an access road and a bridge. Their construction coincided with the most intensive period of development of the mountain’s reserves for tourist and recreational pursuits. The site for the bridge was between two abrupt banks of Leura Falls Creek and required some side cutting. Former trustee and Katoomba Mayor at the time, H. R. Goyder, and his councillors accompanied Department of Public Works Engineer for the area, R. (Rob) D. Fitzgerald on a site inspection in May 1911. As referenced in contemporary stories from the Katoomba Echo Newspaper, they all agreed the architectural plans designated: … a pretty little bridge as one could wish – a semi-circular arch springing from the rocks at stream level, and even in the sketch, suggesting a highly ornate and artistic crossing...

The State Governor Lord Chelmsford had opened the new Katoomba Town Hall in January 1912, when it was suggested that the £6000 newly constructed road between Katoomba and Leura, be named Chelmsford Drive in his honour. Katoomba Baths and Chelmsford Bridge were officially opened on December 3, 1913 by the Minister for Works The Hon. Arthur Griffith.

Figure 1. Chelmsford Bridge, Leura - Plan Elevation, Public Works Department 1912. (AO Plan 74000)

Figure 2. Chelmsford Bridge, Leura - Plan Centering, Public Works Department 1912. (AO Plan No 74001).

Figure 3. Official Opening

Figure 4. Harry Phillips photo circa 1920 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/blue_mountains_library_-_local_studies/)

Figure 5. Looking west, circa 2024 (BMCC)

Figure 6. Timber Centering foundations, squared holes in bedrock beneath the arch (extract from CMP, photo Sid French)

Figure 7 Chelmsford Bridge 2019

Figure 8 Chelmsford Bridge 2019

Figure 9. Handrail design, signed by Herbert Fleming and E de Burgh (extract from NRS 12640-2, item No.562 at 13469)

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References:
Sutcliffe, Rachel, Media:EHRP-2035NominationChelmsfordBridgeLeura1.pdf, 6 August 2023.