Albert Edward Bridge
The Albert Edward Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the River Severn at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire.
Opened on 1 November 1864, its design is almost identical to Victoria Bridge, Worcestershire. Designed by John Fowler, its 200 feet span cast iron arch has four ribs, each of nine parts bolted together. Contractors: Brassey and Field. The moulds for the arched beam castings for the bridge were prepared by Thomas Parker at the Coalbrookdale Iron Company.
Originally built to carry the Wenlock, Craven Arms and Lightmoor Extension Railway of the Wellington and Severn Junction Railway across the river, it latterly carried coal traffic as part of the line between Lightmoor Junction and Ironbridge Power Station.
The bridge's timber and wrought iron deck was replaced by a structural steel deck in 1933. Due to its age and the condition of the ironwork, traffic over the bridge was ultimately restricted to a 5 mph limit. Although it carried two tracks, only the one on the downstream side remains in use.
The bridge is a Grade II Listed Building, one half by Shropshire Council, the other by Telford and Wrekin District Council as the boundary is mid-span.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Wikipedia