£3.6m project to preserve Iron Bridge ‘wonder of modern world’

VITAL REPAIR work is starting on the world’s first iron bridge in a £3.6m project to conserve “one of the wonders of the modern world”, English Heritage said.

The Iron Bridge was erected in 1779 over the River Severn in Shropshire, in the “cradle of the Industrial Revolution”, the first single span arch bridge in the world to be made of cast iron and marking a turning point in British engineering.

As work starts to preserve the Iron Bridge, whose ironwork is now cracking, English Heritage revealed a €1m donation from a German foundation towards the restoration project. The charity, which looks after the bridge, is also launching a crowdfunding campaign to help save the structure, which it described as the “great-great grandfather” of today’s railways and skyscrapers.

Surveys have shows the Iron Bridge is under threat from cracking due to stresses in the ironwork dating from the original construction, ground movement over the centuries and an earthquake in the 19th century which pushed the two sides of the gorge it spans closer together.

Kate Mavor, English Heritage’s chief executive, said: “The Iron Bridge is one of the most important – if not the most important – bridges ever built.

“It sits in the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and is open to everyone to visit, for free, every day of the year.

“But after two centuries, its cast iron is cracking and if it is to survive, the bridge needs our support.”

The official opening of the bridge took place on New Year’s Day in 1781.

People who want to donate to the campaign can do so at: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ project-iron-bridge