Iron Bridge in scaffolding: Preserving an icon of the Industrial Revolution
It is an icon, attracting thousands of visitors into Shropshire every year. But as new pictures show, the Iron Bridge is getting less and less visible, with more scaffolding springing up as a major restoration project gets underway.
The project, the largest of its kind by English Heritage, will stop cracking on the bridge in the centre of Ironbridge.
Though those working on the bridge say this week will only see minor work taking place, the project as a whole is a mammoth undertaking.
The world's first iron bridge was completed in 1779 and opened to traffic in 1801. It became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1986 and remains an iconic feature of Britain’s industrial past.
But after standing for centuries, the bridge is in need to repairs to cracking, caused by ground movements.
The Iron Bridge was the first single-span arch bridge in the world to be made of cast iron and was a turning point in engineering.
However it is suffering due to stresses in the ironwork dating from the original construction, ground movement over the centuries and an earthquake at the end of the 19th century.
The bridge has been in the care of English Heritage since 1975 and the charity has undertaken regular conservation and monitoring during that time.
Now iron radials and braces holding the bridge together are to be repaired and work will be completed on deck plates and wedges, the main iron arch,and the stone abutments on either side of the River Severn.
The bridge will also be re-painted, with the project costing a total of £1.2 million
Councillor Nicola Lowery, ward member for the Iron Bridge Gorge, said she has been working to ensure that minimal disruption was caused during the work.
She said: "As the ward member of the Gorge, I have reiterated the importance of minimising the disruption to the local community during the works to the contractor Taziker Industrial Ltd and English Heritage, whilst also proposing the exploration of volunteer opportunities for people to get involved, which they have been extremely receptive to.
"The Gorge’s rich history never fails to enchant those that visit and I hope many will come to see this fascinating project develop over the coming months as we see one of our most important historical monuments restored."
The conservation of Iron Bridge follows three years of surveys and investigations.
