Bridge SKW1/39 was built between 1847 and 1849 by the (Little) North Western Railway Company as part of its new route linking Skipton and Ingleton. It carries the railway over Long Preston Beck (just a few yards to the south-east of the passenger platforms at Long Preston station) via a single 45' 1" span.
When originally constructed, the bridge had a wide semi-elliptical arch. However, it was partially rebuilt in 1911-1912 and the new segmental arch has a consistent radius of 26' 6⅞" (with a rise of 12' 6"). The original arch featured stone voussoirs and keystones, but the new arch was formed using six rings of blue engineering bricks which extend to the outer edges of the arch.
A projecting weep hole or drainage outlet has been provided at the bottom corner of each spandrel (where the top of the arch meets the abutment). These ensure that any water percolating through the trackbed can escape from the structure. Weep holes are a common feature of masonry bridges, but the projecting design of these examples is rare within the conservation area. It helps to direct water away from the exterior surface of the masonry, thereby reducing the risk of frost damage, etc.
