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==Construction==
The bridge was designed by the Severn Valley Railway's chief engineer, [[John Fowler]]. 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>Nabarro, G (1971), ''Severn Valley Steam''</ref>.
The original estimate for the construction of the Severn Valley Railway included £8500 for "a girder bridge at Arley"<ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17612/17612-h/17612-h.htm Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway, by J. Randall 1863]</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>.
