Causey, County Durham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Causey |
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 Causey Arch Public House |
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 Causey
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| OS grid reference | NZ204561 |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE |
| Postcode district | NE16 |
| Police | Durham |
| Fire | County Durham and Darlington |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
Causey is a small village located in County Durham, England. You can find it a short distance north of the town of Stanley. It is a quiet place known for its important historical bridge.
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The Famous Causey Arch
Around Causey, you will notice many deep valleys and ravines. These natural features were carved out by glaciers during the last Ice Age. The famous Causey Arch was built to cross one of these deep ravines.
Building a Bridge for Coal
Before the stone arch, a wooden bridge was built in 1725. Sadly, it collapsed. So, a new and stronger bridge was started in 1726. It took more than a year to build and cost over £6,000. This was a huge amount of money back then!
The people who built this amazing bridge were known as the 'Grand Alliance.' This group included important figures like Bowes, Liddell, and Wortleys. Their goal was to create a strong path to transport coal.
Why Was the Arch Built?
The Causey Arch was built to carry coal from nearby mines. The coal was then taken down to the River Tyne at Dunston. From there, it could be shipped to other places.
It's important to remember that steam locomotives had not been invented yet. So, no trains ever ran over this bridge. Instead, the railway tracks were made of wood. Horses would pull the coal trucks across the bridge.
A World Record Holder
The Causey Arch is truly special. It has a span of over 100 feet (about 30 meters). It stands about 80 feet (about 24 meters) above the stream below. The bridge is also about 23 feet (about 7 meters) wide.
This makes the Causey Arch the oldest single-span railway bridge in the world. It's a fantastic example of early engineering.
Life Around the Arch
In the past, there were two small cottages near the Arch on the Tanfield side. Children who went to the Causey School in the 1920s and 1930s would sometimes be let out of school early on dark evenings. This was because the bridge had no fences, and it could be dangerous.
Today, the Causey Arch is no longer used for coal transport. Instead, it has become a popular footpath. People can walk across it and enjoy the history and the beautiful views of the ravine.
