In this video, written by Tony Woolrich, we explore the history of Bridgwater’s first iron bridge of 1797. This replaced the old stone bridge and would be replaced by the current bridge of 1883. This design was a modification of the world’s first Iron Bridge in Shropshire of 1794, although about two thirds the size of its predecessor, but the third iron bridge built in Britain. This video was produced for Bridgwater History Day 2020.
In 1794 an act of Parliament was obtained:: An Act for building a new Bridge over the River Parrett, within the Borough of Bridgewater in the County of Somerset; and for repairing, maintaining and extending the Quays in the Port of Bridgewater. The Bridge Committee comprised Robert Codrington, (the Mayor), Edward Sealy, John Crandon, John Symes, and Joseph Jeffery. The letters were signed by Thomas Pyke, who seems to have acted as Clerk of the Works.
The accounts survive for 1795-1798. They show that the abutments cost £1200, Thomas Gregory was paid £10 for making the pattern for the coat of arms on the bridge sides. He was also a fine model-maker and made the one of the bridge for the Coalbrookdale Company which is now in the Science Museum, London.
Some of the Coalbrookdale bridge still survives. The remains of the five iron ribs can be seen embedded in the Bridge abutment. The two cast iron town coats of arms survive, one on the balcony of the Clarence Hotel building, the other at the Blake Museum. The silver cup awarded to the Bridge Committee is in the museum collection. It was awarded in 1807 by the town’s MPs, for the Bridge Committee’s support in their election success.
