Next week, (29 March) English Heritage will open a temporary visitor walkway beside the Iron Bridge in Shropshire, enabling visitors to get up close to the vital conservation work currently underway.

The Iron Bridge is considered a symbol of the Industrial Revolution, and is the oldest bridge in the world to be made entirely of cast iron. Last year the charity raised more than £47,500 in a crowd funding campaign to support the project.

In a first for the charity, the new walkway will feature visitor displays explaining the expert techniques used to save the bridge. There will also be windows and portholes so visitors can see the conservation in action.

Volunteers and staff will be on site each day to offer additional information about the works taking place.

Historic Properties Director, Liz Page, said the walkway provided a 'once in a lifetime opportunity.'

'English Heritage's conservation of the Iron Bridge is a perfect example of the work our charity does.

'The Iron Bridge sits at the heart of a World Heritage Site and we are inviting visitors from around the world to come and witness our historic conservation project in action.

'As part of our vital project the save this remarkable structure for the long term, this summer our special visitor walkway will be open daily beside the bridge, packed full of information about the works.'

Why English Heritage is saving the Iron Bridge

Built in 1779 over the River Severn in Shropshire, the Iron Bridge was a turning point in British engineering.

English Heritage's extensive surveys and investigations have revealed that the historic structure is under threat from cracking due to stresses in the ironwork dating back to the original construction. This has been aggravated by ground movement over the centuries and an earthquake in the 19th century.

Costing £3.6 million, Project Iron Bridge is English Heritage's single largest conservation project since becoming a charity in 2015. The project has also been supported by a €1 million donation from German funder the Hermann Reemtsma Foundation.

Visit the Iron Bridge

See the conservation in action from 29 March until 26 September. The walkway will be open from 10am to 4pm daily. Entry is free, though donations to support the project will be encouraged.

Find out more about the Iron Bridge and its history.

Discover 7 things you didn't know about the Iron Bridge.

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