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==Construction==
The bridge was designed by the Severn Valley Railway's chief engineer, [[John <noglossary>Fowler</noglossary>]]. It is largely constructed from cast iron; manufacture of the ironwork was subcontracted to the Coalbrookdale Company. The foundation stone was laid on [[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership# Construction: 1858-1861 | November 24th 1859]] by the SVR's resident engineer, [[Henry Orlando Bridgeman]], and the bridge was completed in May 1861. Its span, of 200ft, was at the time the largest iron arch span in the country.<ref Name = "Nabarro">Nabarro, G (1971), ''Severn Valley Steam''</ref>
It was reported at the time of construction that a defective rib casting was tested to destruction under a load of 430 tons.<ref name = "SVRNews58">SVR News 58, article by the consulting engineer to the 1979-80 refurbishment</ref>
