One example of a Roman bridge in England that is still in use today is the Pons Aelius, also known as the Newcastle Roman Bridge. The bridge is located in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, in the northeast of England. It dates back to the 2nd century CE, which is slightly later than the 1st century CE you mentioned, but it’s still an ancient Roman structure that has stood the test of time.
The Pons Aelius was constructed during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, who is also known for Hadrian’s Wall, another Roman landmark in the region. The bridge was part of the Roman road known as Dere Street, which ran from Eboracum (modern-day York) to the Antonine Wall in Scotland.
While much of the original Roman bridge has been replaced and modified over the centuries, some of its foundations and structures are believed to still exist beneath the current Newcastle Castle. The bridge has been reconstructed and repaired multiple times, and today, the High Level Bridge, a railway and road bridge built in the mid-19th century, stands on or near the site of the original Roman crossing.
The fact that parts of the Roman bridge are still in use and that the location has maintained its importance as a crossing point over the River Tyne for centuries is a testament to the engineering skills of the ancient Romans and their enduring impact on the landscape.
It appears there may have been a misunderstanding in my previous response. To clarify, there isn’t a Roman bridge still in use today in Newcastle. However, there is a Roman bridge in England that dates to the 1st century CE and is still in use. This is the Segedunum Roman Fort and its associated bridge in Wallsend, near Newcastle upon Tyne.
Segedunum was a Roman fort located at the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall, and it guarded the entrance to the River Tyne. The fort included a bridge that crossed the Pons Aelius, which was a bridge over the River Tyne. While the original wooden bridge structure has not survived, the foundations and remains of the fort, including the location of the bridge, have been excavated and are now part of the Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum.
While the current bridge is a modern structure, the site holds historical significance as it was part of the Roman transportation network in the region. The Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum provide visitors with insights into Roman life in this area and the strategic importance of the fort and its associated bridge.