SAD news last week for one of the region’s historic landmarks: the wonder of Whorlton has been closed to walkers and cyclists, as well as cars, due to safety fears. Whorlton suspension bridge over the Tees is a great survivor – it is almost to suspension bridges what Locomotion No 1 is to railways. It was built in the earliest days of its era when other bridges all around it were collapsing. It is a testament to the brave faith of the villagers and investors and now, 189 years later, it is the UK s oldest road suspension bridge with its deck supported by its original iron chains, and it is the UK s earliest surviving iron chained suspension bridge with pylons at each end.
SAD news this week for one of the region’s historic landmarks: the wonder of Whorlton has been closed to walkers and cyclists, as well as cars, due to safety fears. Whorlton suspension bridge over the Tees is a great survivor – it is almost to suspension bridges what Locomotion No 1 is to railways. It was built in the earliest days of its era when other bridges all around it were collapsing. It is a testament to the brave faith of the villagers and investors and now, 189 years later, it is the UK s oldest road suspension bridge with its deck supported by its original iron chains, and it is the UK s earliest surviving iron chained suspension bridge with pylons at each end.
15 Dec 2020
SHUT OFF: Whorlton Bridge has been shut to all users
WHORLTON Bridge has been closed to all over fears it could fail catastrophically, but angry villagers have blamed a lack of maintenance by council officers for its deteriorating condition.
A new survey has found parts of the grade-II listed scheduled monument cannot support its own weight.
The bridge was closed to vehicles in August last year after damage was found during an inspection, but it had been open to pedestrians and cyclists. This changed on Saturday when county officers fenced off the bridge.
An assessment by consultants Pell Frischmann found the bridge was unsafe for anyone to use. Following the report, county officers said: “The structure has fatigue issues and is potentially unbalanced and overstressed. It is considered that should the structure fail, it could fail catastrophically rather than progressively.