Telford and Wrekin

Students of industrial history will know that the Ironbridge was the first major bridge made from metal anywhere in the world. This little corner of sleepy Shropshire sparked the Industrial Revolution, and one of the first exhibits of what could be possible was this 100 foot bridge across the River Severn. Opened in 1781 the bridge had a practical purpose too, linking the new industrial town of Broseley on the south side of the river with the coal mines of Madeley on the other side. Most pictures of the bridge are like the accompanying 'post card shot' I've posted alongside this one. However it is only when you get underneath do you see the full glory of its 5 delicate Cast Iron arches. I would suggest lovers of symmetry look away now, because it just isn't symmetrical. Each piece was hand cast to fit, so seemingly identical components in neighbouring arches can be several centimetre shorter or longer. It isn't helped by the fact that the Ironbridge Gorge is itself at risk of collapsing in, and there is a major emergency evacuation plan to rescue people from the flood that would follow. To stop the bridge being squeezed to destruction there is actually another ferro-concrete arch, inverted, underneath the river, built in the 1970s. You can probably tell, I'm rather fond of this rickety bridge, and don't you just love the Iron Oxide colour paint they used in the most recent restoration!

To accompany the shot of the bridge from underneath, here is the view of the Ironbridge from the south bank, looking across to the village of Ironbridge.