2-913-972 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New Bridge over the Severn, at Upton, 1854. Moveable bridge in Worcestershire. 'The piers and abutments are of Forest of Dean stone, built on piles; the tubes and girders being of wrought-iron, with cast road-plates. The opening span of 45 feet, is in one leaf, which, with the necessary counterbalance, is about 100 feet long; and, being on large wheels, the entire leaf is run back horizontally under the approach-road or platform, which it lifts in its progress; and, as the leaf is run out again, the platform falls into its original position. The moveable portion of the Bridge, with the platform, weighs nearly 100 tons, and it is run in and out by two men. This method...is the invention of the engineer, Mr. Alfred Giles...The contractors for the masonry were Messrs. Nowell, of Birmingham; and for the iron-work, Messrs. Butler and Co., of Stanningley'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.