Newgate, Chester

Newgate is an arch bridge carrying the walkway of the City Walls over Pepper Street in Chester. The predecessor of the grander entrance, Peppergate or Wolfgate, can be seen nearby; it was once also known as the "Newegatt" (Newgate), after a rebuilding in 1553. There is an old local saying connected with this gate that goes: "When the daughter is stolen, shut the Peppergate", a proverbial equivalent of "Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted".

With the coming of a motor car, the old Peppergate/Wolfgate proved completely inadequate, so a new breach through the City Walls was needed. There was a considerable debate, at the time, regarding how it was to be executed. Finally, to relieve traffic congestion in the city, especially at Chester Cross, the new bridge was built in 1937–38.

Opened by the Mayor on October 3rd 1938, it featured a cheerful mock-Medieval style (or rather Gothic Revival), whose playfulness reminded a bit of the set of a Hollywood production of Robin Hood. Despite appearances, the Newgate is actually built of reinforced concrete and faced with red Runcorn sandstone. The architect, Sir Walter Tapper, died before its completion, so the work – which took a mere 20 months – had to be completed by his son, Michael Tapper.

On each side of the bridge is a tower containing mock loops (unglazed slit windows) and surmounted by hipped roofs. Flights of steps on each side lead up to the towers and to the walkway across the top of the bridge. The structure is decorated with carved shields and Tudor roses. The historian Simon Ward expressed the opinion that "its design conformed to the generally medieval feel of the walls".

Quite fittingly, the bridge is now part of the National Heritage List for England.