Coalport Bridge facts for kids
The Coalport Bridge is a special bridge in Shropshire, England. It crosses the River Severn. This bridge is made of cast iron, which is a very strong type of metal. It connects the villages of Coalport and Preens Eddy.
What was the first Coalport Bridge like?
The very first bridge at Coalport was built in 1780. It was designed by an architect named William Hayward. This early bridge was made mostly of wood. It had two wooden arches that rested on stone supports. A local timber owner, Robert Palmer, built it. People called it the "Wood Bridge." It helped connect different parts of the area across the river.
However, this wooden bridge did not last very long. In 1795, a huge winter flood hit the River Severn. The flood was so strong that it washed away the main support in the middle of the bridge. Because of this, the wooden bridge closed after less than 15 years.
How was the Coalport Bridge rebuilt with iron?
After the flood, the bridge stayed closed for a few years. Then, in 1799, people decided to rebuild it. This time, they used a mix of wood, brick, and cast iron parts. These iron parts were made by John Onions. The two original wooden sections were replaced with a single span. This new span had three strong cast iron ribs. These ribs connected to the original stone bases on the riverbanks.
The bridge deck also got more support from two square brick piers. But even this mixed bridge started to fail by 1817. There were not enough cast iron ribs for all the traffic. So, the bridge owners decided to rebuild it again. This time, they wanted it to be completely made of iron.
The new iron parts were very well made. In 2005, the bridge was updated again. To make it lighter, the heavy cast iron plates used for the road were replaced. They used new, lighter plates made from carbon fibre and fiberglass. This made the bridge much lighter and stronger.
What is the bridge like today?
The date 1818 is shown on the bridge. This date marks when the bridge was fully rebuilt with iron. Thanks to this strong work, the bridge has lasted for over 187 years without needing major repairs.
In 2004 and 2005, the bridge was closed for about a year. During this time, workers strengthened it even more. They rebuilt two brick arches that support the sides of the bridge on the south bank.
Today, the Coalport Bridge is still used by cars and other vehicles. However, it has some rules to keep it safe. Only one line of traffic can cross at a time. There is also a weight limit of 3 tonnes and a height limit of 6 feet 6 inches (about 1.98 meters). This is different from the more famous Iron Bridge nearby, which no longer takes cars.
The bridge is also close to where old train stations used to be. On the Telford side, there was Coalport East railway station. A few meters away was Coalport West railway station. There is a chance that a heritage railway line could be extended to connect Coalport to the railway again in the future.
