Cast Iron Bridge over the Severn

The world's first cast-iron bridge was built across the River Severn in Colebrookdale in 1779. This world-famous monument gave its name to the city that grew up around it and the impressive forest gorge that was the cradle of the industrial revolution.

Strategic importance

Ironbridge Gorge is located within the Coalbrookdale coalfield, a region rich in minerals, coal, iron ore, limestone, sand and useful clays. In 1758, 400 ships plied between Gloucester and Welshpool, and in fifty years, this number has doubled. They were needed to transport raw materials across the river to metallurgical and other enterprises in the valley. The only other crossing was the medieval Bildvas Bridge, located 3 km upstream. The river was often too shallow in summer and too fast and high in winter, and industry often depended on the river.

Bridge construction

The proposal to build a new bridge was imminent, and Abraham Darby III, a metalworker, was commissioned to build it. The bridge's construction was partly a public relations event touting the versatility of cast iron and the skills of Abraham Darby III and his Coalbrookdale company, and the chosen location was also the most dramatic part of the gorge. The cast-iron bridge was built in 1779 and is 60 m long. The cost of building the bridge was 6,000 pounds, if Abraham Darby wanted to build such a bridge today, he would have to raise about 1.5 million pounds.

The fare

Kings can rule a country, but tribute must be paid. The sign read: "Every officer or soldier, whether on duty or not, is required to pay for travel, as well as any baggage car, mail bus, or royal family." You can still see the sign next to the Cast-Iron Bridge today. Tolls for vehicles were abolished in 1934, but pedestrians still had to pay until 1950.

A memorable object

The cast-iron bridge was prone to cracking, and for the first time in 1802 it was repeatedly overhauled. Many of the original cracks are visible today. Later cast-iron bridges used much less iron, probably the cast-iron bridge was designed excessively. In the 1960s, there was talk of dismantling it and selling it for scrap. But in the 1970s, this place came under the care of English Heritage. It was one of the first places in the UK to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.