Warrington Transporter Bridge

The Warrington Transporter Bridge is a steel structure that spans the River Mersey in the Borough of Warrington. It was designed by William Henry Hunter and built by Sir William Arrol & Co. The bridge measures 339 feet in length and stands 89 feet above high water level. Its deck is 30 feet wide and carries a moving platform 76 feet above the river. The bridge once linked parts of a large chemical and soap works owned by Joseph Crosfield and Sons. The bridge opened in 1917 to carry rail vehicles up to 18 tonnes. It was converted for road traffic in 1940 and later strengthened to handle loads of 30 tonnes in 1953. It is one of only three such bridges remaining in the UK. The first Warrington transporter bridge, built in 1906, was later turned into a pipeline bridge and demolished. The current bridge is listed as a Grade II* building and protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Visitors can view the bridge from nearby paths along the riverbank. A local group, Friends of Warrington Transporter Bridge, works to preserve its industrial heritage. The bridge has appeared on BBC North West Tonight and has its own website and social media pages. Its striking steel frame and river setting make it a notable landmark in the area.