The Iron Bridge in the County of Shropshire was completed in the year 1779. Over the years, it has become an iconic structure where tolls have been collected from people who come to view it. Here are the 5 most interesting facts about this lovely bridge that will interest you.
The First Bridge In The World Made From Cast Iron
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Before The Iron Bridge, there were other bridges, but none of them was made entirely from cast iron. The bridge construction was made possible by the genius work of engineers and architects who have learned from decades of cast iron works before they are able to produce such an excellent work of engineering.
Even The Queen Had To Pay Tolls To Pass
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Passing through the Iron Bridge will cost you money, no matter who you are. Even the queen in all of her majesty had to pay to cross. There is a sign that translates all information about toll payment so people can know how much they had to part with. However, tolls were removed for vehicles by 1934, but pedestrians still had to pay until the 1950s. For tourists, the Iron Bridge at Shropshire is still an excellent option for them to experience The County and enjoy the rich culture of the people.
Saved By UNESCO
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During the 1960s, authorities considered bringing down the bridge and then selling it for scraps. This didn’t meet a section of the society well as they believe the bridge to be an important cultural monument. In the 1970s, just before it was dismantled, the guardianship rights changed. Shortly after that, the bridge attained a respectable height and then inscribed onto the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Several Repairs Through The Centuries
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For the bridge to remain in good shape as it is, there have been several repairs done on it. After cracks were found in the stone land arch, a 35-yard (32 m) wall was built in order to prevent the north bank from slipping into the river. The Gorge, which was formed during the ice and provided a resting place for the bridge, was also very problematic. As it was prone to landslides, several repair works have been carried out for the protection of the bridge. Stone land arch repairs in 1800, carried out by the trustees commissioned, lasted for several years.
It Influenced Several Bridge Designs
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The quality of the Iron Bridge in Shropshire was so inspiring that it influenced a couple of other bridge construction projects. An example is the Buildwas Bridge by Telford, which is also at Shropshire. Another example is the Wearmouth Bridge, which was built with a span of 235ft in 1793-96. The bridge was constructed from cast iron in the form of cast voussoirs, influenced by the Iron Bridge. In faraway Jamaica, the first iron bridge outside of the UK was built in 1801. The bridge which was built across Rio Cobre took so much from the example of the Iron Bridge in Shropshire.
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