Visitors to Iron Bridge have a special walkway to get close to work to preserve the landmark for future generations
Visitors to the Iron Bridge are getting a unique look at work being done as part of a £3.6 million project to preserve the landmark.
A temporary walkway has been built at the historic site, which is currently under wraps due to sandblasting being carried out.
But, from now tourists will be able to see exactly what is being done to the structure which was built two centuries ago through special portholes.
The bridge which is composed of a row of parallel arches made up of sets of ribs has suffered cracks to its radials that are in need of repair.
The conservation effort involves removing the old paint and rust from the underneath the bridge, immediately coating the stripped sections with primer, which will be followed by a permanent coat of paint due to be put on in May.
Meanwhile, visitors can observe the work through the special port holes which have been installed next to the walkway above the River Severn.
English Heritage's manager of operations Daisy Lambert said: "It is a really important project. We are trying to preserve the bridge for future generations.
"The work is under way and although its under cover we still want the public to engage with what we are doing by providing an opportunity to get up close and seeing it in a different way.
"As part of this Blist Hill Museum has recreated examples of the radials that make up the bridge that we will be showing to visitors on tablet devices.
"The walkway will be able to accommodate 35 people at any one time. They can join from either side of the bridge where we will have volunteers on hand to count numbers and act as tour guides. We will also taking donations towards the project."
The walkway will be open daily, including bank holidays, from 10am to 4pm.
In addition, English Heritage is holding separate 'Hard Hat' tours to give small groups of visitors the chance to join contractors and gain a unique insight into the work being undertaken to repair the bridge.
These will take place on April 11, May 16, June 5, 20 and 27, July 11, and August 22 from 12.30pm and are for 10 people maximum each session.
Tickets for the tours are due to go on sale soon via the English heritage website.
When the Iron Bridge opened in 1781, it was the first major bridge in the world to be made of cast iron, and was greatly celebrated because of its use of the new material.
