Places Stories

This graceful bridge carries the busy A443 across the River Severn - before the bridge was built, there was a very profitable ferry across the river at this point:

Galton Bridge - look familiar?

BRIDGE FACTS

• The bridge was designed by Thomas Telford, and is a virtual twin of the Galton Bridge, which crosses the Birmingham canal in Smethwick.

• It has a single span, 150 feet (46 metres) long.

• It was built between 1826 and 1828, by William Hazledine.

• It was reinforced in 1928, parts of the span being encased in concrete, and the road-deck being widened and strengthened with reinforced concrete.

• In World War II the bridge was mined, so that it could be blown up quickly in the event of a German invasion. At the same time anti tank posts were built into the bridge. You can still see a 6lb gun emplacement near the bridge, part of the Severn Stop Line.

• The bridge is Grade II listed