The recent restoration of the Iron Bridge, completed by Ferguson Mann Architects and The Morton Partnership engineers for the English Heritage Trust, has won a Europa Nostra Conservation Award. The award celebrates best practices in heritage conservation, promoting a stronger public recognition of cultural heritage as a strategic resource for Europe’s society, economy and environment.
The Iron Bridge – a Grade I Listed, Scheduled Ancient Monument and UNESCO World Heritage site, was the first in the world to be constructed of iron and a symbol of the Industrial Revolution. Though well cared for since its completion in 1779 it has faced many challenges, including stresses in the ironwork, which led the English Heritage Trust to undertake necessary interventions to preserve its original fabric to the greatest extent possible, returning the structure to its former glory for the enjoyment of future generations.
FMA were commissioned by English Heritage in 2017 to carry out conservation works. Our heritage team was brought on board alongside The Morton Partnership to address structural defects in the wrought iron structure, carry out repair work on masonry, abutments and piers and to redecorate the iron work and re-surface the deck. FMA also designed the accessible walkway that enabled visitors to see the repair works in progress. The bridge is now open again for the public to enjoy.
The Jury remarked, “Its conservation approach is based on full respect of the original technology and was made possible through international collaboration and funding. It is a very good example of conservation in action, providing access to visitors and locals during the work”.
For further information on the conservation, click here.
For further information on the award, click here.
Photographs courtesy of the English Heritage Trust.
