Preston Pipe Bridge

Preston Pipe Bridge is a pipeline bridge crossing the River Tees in Eaglescliffe that carries three large water pipes. The structure uses a pre-stressed concrete arch spanning about 60 meters to carry drinking water across the valley.

The bridge was built in 1959 by Dowsett Engineering to carry two water pipes across the river. A third pipe was later added in the 1980s to meet the growing water demand of nearby communities.

The bridge carries drinking water to communities on both sides of the river and remains essential to how the region functions daily. Walking past it, you notice how industrial infrastructure like this shapes where people can live and grow.

The best access is from the northern bank starting at Preston Farm, where a marked footpath runs alongside the river. The path can get muddy in wet weather, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.

The construction involved an engineering feat: the 200-tonne concrete arch was assembled on one riverbank and then transported across using a temporary support system. This method allowed workers to complete the job without disrupting the river's flow or traffic below.