The Warrington Transporter Bridge (or Bank Quay Transporter Bridge) is a structural steel transporter bridge across the River Mersey in Warrington, Cheshire, England.

Design

It was designed by William Henry Hunter and built by Sir William Arrol & Co. The bridge has a span of , is wide, feet above high water level, with an overall length of feet and a total height of .

History

It was constructed in 1916–17 and fell into disuse in approximately 1964. The bridge was constructed to connect the two parts of the large chemical and soap works of Joseph Crosfield and Sons. It was originally designed to carry rail vehicles up to in weight, and was converted for road vehicles in 1940. In 1953, it was further modified to carry loads of up to . slightly to the north of the existing bridge and was later transformed into a pipeline bridge, before it was demolished.

It is one of three remaining such bridges in the UK.

Regeneration

thumb|left|The bridge with signs of disrepair

The bridge is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building, and because of its poor condition it is on the Heritage at Risk Register. The bridge is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

A local group called Friends of Warrington Transporter Bridge (FoWTB) was formed in April 2015 to act as the independent voice of the bridge. The group is liaising with other interest groups to safeguard the future of the bridge and its industrial heritage status. FoWTB has been featured on the local BBC News programme, North West Tonight and has set up a website for the bridge

See also

  • Grade I and II* listed buildings in Warrington
  • List of Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire (post-1539)

References

;Bibliography

  • Rennison, R.W., "Civil Engineering Heritage : Northern England", Thomas Telford Publishing, 2nd edn., 1996,
  • Thompson, Dave, "Bridging the Years", MailBook Publishing, 2000
  • Official website
  • Picture on geograph
  • "Bank Quay transporter bridge, Warrington – Warrington (UA)", English Heritage, Heritage at Risk Register