Wilford Suspension Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wilford Suspension Bridge |
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Wilford Suspension Bridge
as viewed from the Meadows |
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| Coordinates | 52°56′00″N 1°08′21″W / 52.9332°N 1.1393°W |
| OS grid reference | |
| Carries | Pedestrians, water main and gas pipelines |
| Crosses | River Trent |
| Locale | City of Nottingham |
| Other name(s) | Meadows Suspension Bridge |
| Owner | originally: Nottingham Corporation Water Department, then: Severn Trent Water Authority, now: Severn Trent Water |
| Heritage status | Grade II listed structure |
| Preceded by | Wilford Toll Bridge |
| Followed by | Trent Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Suspension bridge |
| Material | Stone-clad towers, twin dual steel suspension cables, ashlar and steel |
| Width | 12 feet (3.7 metres) |
| Traversable? | Yes |
| Longest span | 225 feet (69 metres) |
| Number of spans | One |
| History | |
| Architect | Arthur Brown |
| Engineering design by | Elliott & Brown |
| Constructed by | Nottingham Corporation Water Department |
| Construction cost | £8,871 (equivalent to £630,000 in 2021), |
| Opened | 1906 |
| Rebuilt | 2008–2010 |
The Wilford Suspension Bridge is a special bridge in Nottingham, England. It is also known as the Meadows Suspension Bridge. This bridge crosses the River Trent, connecting the town of West Bridgford to an area called the Meadows.
This bridge is a suspension bridge, which means it hangs from strong cables. It's used by Pedestrians (people walking). But it's not just for people! It also carries important pipes. These pipes include a large water main (a big pipe for water) and a gas main (a pipe for gas).
The company that owns the bridge is Severn Trent Water. It's important not to confuse this bridge with the nearby Wilford Toll Bridge, which is a different bridge entirely. The Wilford Suspension Bridge is also a "Grade II listed structure". This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Bridge History
The Wilford Suspension Bridge was designed by an architect named Arthur Brown. He worked with an engineering company called Elliott & Brown. The detailed plans were drawn up by Frank Beckett Lewis, who was the City Architect at the time.
The bridge was built by the Nottingham Corporation Water Department. It cost £8,871 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The main reason they built it was to carry water to the Wilford Hill reservoir.
Ownership Changes
Over the years, the bridge's ownership changed a few times. In April 1974, the bridge was transferred from the Nottingham Corporation Water Department to the Severn Trent Water Authority. This happened because of big changes in how water companies were organized in England and Wales.
Later, in 1989, the bridge became owned by Severn Trent Water. This was when many water companies became private businesses.
Bridge Restoration
The bridge has been looked after and repaired over the years. In 1983, it had some restoration work done.
Then, in July 2008, the bridge had to close to people walking across it. This was because parts of the bridge were falling off, which made it unsafe. It needed a big repair job!
The bridge reopened on February 12, 2010, after a huge refurbishment. This major repair project cost £1.9 million.
What the Bridge Carries
The Wilford Suspension Bridge carries important pipes across the River Trent:
- Gas Main: It carries two gas pipes, each about 30 centimeters (12 inches) wide.
- Water Main: It also carries one water pipe, which is about 36 centimeters (14 inches) wide.
| Next footbridge crossing upstream | River Trent | Next footbridge crossing downstream |
Wilford Toll Bridge |
Wilford Suspension Bridge Grid reference: SK 57936 37665 |
Trent Bridge A60 |
