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View Full Version : The "Bridges" of IRONBRIDGE County! 08/07/10



Tankman
16-07-2010, 11:08 PM
Dropped by Ironbridge whilst visiting the Cold War Museum at Cosford:thumb
Didnt unfortunatly have much time to explore this fantastic area more, as time was short:(
So I went for the Bridges:thumb

First up the World Famous Ironbridge itself!

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii38/tankman_2008/Iron%20Bridge/DSCF3128.jpg

It spans the gorge very majestically:thumb

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii38/tankman_2008/Iron%20Bridge/DSCF3132.jpg

Over the years it has cracked in several places and been repaired, traffic no longer allowed over it, except pedestrians!

Looking around for the Industrial past, I saw a Red Cooling Tower on the opposite bank so headed off in that direction:thumb

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii38/tankman_2008/Iron%20Bridge/DSCF3142.jpg

Soon came across Ironbridge (Buildwas) Power Station, the power station is unique amongst British coal-fired stations. The cooling towers were deliberately constructed using concrete to which a red pigment had been added, to blend with the colour of the local soil. This had cost £11,000 in the 1960s. The towers cannot be seen at all from the world famous landmark.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii38/tankman_2008/Iron%20Bridge/DSCF3140.jpg

This lovely old railway bridge (Albert Edward Bridge) opened on 1 November 1864. It was one of the last large cast iron railway bridges to have been built. Due to its age and the condition of the ironwork, traffic over the bridge is restricted to a 5mph speed limit to minimise stress. Although it carries two tracks only the one on the downstream side is still in use. Between 6000 tons of coal a day is transported across the bridge in 6 trains daily. Quite a site at 5 MPH:thumb
The bridge is a Grade II Listed Building with a district boundary mid-span! one half by Shropshire Council, the other by Telford and Wrekin District Council.

Further along the bank another bridge soon looms into view:thumb

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii38/tankman_2008/Iron%20Bridge/DSCF3148.jpg

This old Plate Girder Bridge, once carried vehicular traffic into the old "A" Power station, (now demolished) its now closed off and abandoned.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii38/tankman_2008/Iron%20Bridge/DSCF3149.jpg

Original entrance into "A" station:thumb

Thanks for looking:thumb

boxfrenzy
17-07-2010, 08:52 AM
It is nice round there isn't it? I spotted some derelict factory not far from here as well. Buildwas abbey is very near the cooling towers if you are in the area.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4504349831_e04aca29b6.jpg

KingElvis
18-07-2010, 01:21 PM
Good stuff, love the bridges.