Iron Bridge featured on list of Britain's greatest bridges

Historian Joseph Rogers has put the landmark up against the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, London's Tower Bridge and Scotland's Forth Bridge.

Mr Rogers travelled the length and breadth of Britain compiling a list of 40 of its 'greatest' bridges.

With the aim of highlighting some of the country's lesser known gems, the Iron Bridge has trumped the London Bridge, the Tees Transporter and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, none of which made the cut.

Instead, his writings, which have been published in his new book, Britain's Greatest Bridges, includes Skerne Bridge in Darlington, Gallon Bridge in Smethwick and Clachan Bridge in the Isle of Seil.

Mr Rogers's list unsurprisingly features the Grade I listed Severn Bridge, which connects England with south Wales.

Also on it is the 7,220ft Humber Bridge near Kingston-upon-Hull.

Icons

One of the most idyllic listed is the 18th Century Pulteney Bridge in Bath whose design by architect Robert Adam was inspired by visits to Florence in Italy.

Mr Rogers has also chosen the Tarr Steps in Exmoor National Park which is formed by large flat slabs of stone.

The Skerne Railway Bridge in Darlington features as making its own piece of history as the oldest railway bridge in the world in continuous use.

Built in 1825 by George Stephenson, it carried the first locomotive on the day the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened and still serves the Bishop Line today.

Mr Rogers said: "Bridges, along with religious buildings, have become icons of design, wealth and prowess, paying homage not to God, but to the great engineers that construct them, the royals and governors that authorise them and the people that ultimately use them.

"With such an appreciation for its vast and detailed history, today’s United Kingdom exemplifies almost every age of British engineering and the desire to bridge gaps in the nation’s landscape.

"The examples demonstrate key points in that history.

"Bridges that changed the way Britain approached such a technical feat or are noted for their development, relevance, aesthetics or lasting legacy.

"There are, however, innumerable structures that warrant in-depth analysis, poetic description or public recognition, most of which can only be found, appreciated or understood by seeing them first-hand."