Harrison is said to have designed the bridge in 1802, some 25 years before it was constructed. By 1827 he was over 80 years old and took no part in its building or the development of construction methods for it.

The materials used are Peckforton stone, Scottish granite and Chester red stone. The carriageway is 24ft wide and 42ft above the river. The parapets are 33ft apart.

Harrison moved to Chester in 1793 after a decade spent in Lancaster. Before that he spent seven years in Italy and was much influenced by its architecture.

Contractor: James Trubshaw, with William Cole and Jesse Hartley as supervisors