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CROSSING THE RIVER

The Romans settled at various locations along the Severn, or as they named it, Sabrina. They were not bridge builders, but preferred to cross the river by using fords. The Severn name for ford is lode, as for example, Upper Lode, Saxon Lode and Wainlode.

The early bridges that crossed the Severn have not survived the ravages of war, floods and time. Records show that during the 13th century many fine bridges were built. One of the first Severn bridge builders' was William Fitz-Anketill, who in the year 1200 built a bridge at Maisemore, Gloucester. There has been a bridge at Montford, Salop since the 13th century, when even in those days, a toll had to be paid to cross it!

Bewdley has had several bridges on the present site. One built in 1447 was replaced in 1459, which was replaced by a stone one built in 1483. This was damaged by a flood in 1574 and finally swept away by the flood of 1795. Telford replaced it with the present bridge at a cost of £9,000

It was the great floods of 1795 that destroyed most of the Severn bridges. This at a time when the Industrial Revolution was changing the way of life in Britain. It gave the great constructors of that time the opportunity to build iron bridges across the river. Each area had its bridge builder, Thomas Penson at Montgomeryshire, John Gwynne at Shropshire and Thomas Telford being involved with most of the others. Ironically the first iron bridge in the world was not built by any of these men.

Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, [now the area is known as The Ironbridge Gorge], was the site of the most important iron making centre in the world. Operated by the Darby dynasty, this Quaker family produced cast iron products for use in bridge building over the Severn.

In 1779 Thomas Pritchard designed the first iron bridge to be built. Darby III constructed it and the bridge was opened on the 1st January 1781. It was restored between 1972 and 1979 and now remains today as a museum piece for the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Thomas Penson built three bridges of iron, Llandinam, Abermule and Newtown. Although the wooden bridge at Newtown had survived the 1795 floods, it was decided that Penson should build a new bridge in 1826, [Long Bridge].

Telford's first iron bridge was built at Buildwas. This was to replace the stone bridge swept away in the 1795 floods. Although famous for his iron bridges, he also used other materials, as in the wooden bridge at Cressage, [now replaced with a ferro-concrete one], and the stone Over Bridge at Gloucester, [now preserved].

Railways had to cross the river and there are two fine examples still in use today. The Albert Edward Bridge at Coalbrookdale, built in 1860, [now in use by Railtrack for the Ironbridge Power Station]. John Fowler using cast iron built both bridges.

Not all bridges were built for transport. The Birmingham Aqueduct, crossing the river at Bewdley, water runs from the Elan Valley to Birmingham with no pumps on the route! The head of water is great enough to send the water to the Midlands. The other water carrying bridge is at Hampton Loade and is in use by South Staffs Water.

How many people have lost their lives involving the bridges? Certainly during the 1960's seven men were killed were killed as a result of accidents involving shipping and the bridges. One on the Severn Suspension Bridge, five at the Severn Railway Bridge and one at Haw Bridge.

What does the future hold? In the autumn of 1994 the new Jackfield Bridge in Shropshire was opened, this replaces the Old Jackfield Free Bridge which had been considered unsafe for a number of years and during 1996 the Second Severn Crossing was declared open by HRH Prince Charles. Finally the latest bridge to have been built was the two Westgate Bridges at Gloucester, only opened during the summer of this year, 2000.

Bridge design may not have changed, but the way we construct them has and yes, we still have to pay tolls!