Galton Bridge, Smethwick
Region:
Red Wheel Site:
Transport Mode(s):
Address:
Postcode:
Visitor Centre:
Website:
Visit website
Galton Bridge is a canal bridge in Smethwick, West Midlands, built by Thomas Telford in 1829. It spans Telford's Birmingham Canal Navigations New Main Line carrying Roebuck Lane. When it was constructed, its single span of 46 m (151 ft) was the highest in the world; at the time, Telford's Menai bridge was the longest.
Originally a road bridge it is now restricted to pedestrians.
It is similar to Holt Bridge, Telford's Grade II listed bridge over the River Severn at Holt in Worcestershire and was named after Samuel Galton, a member of the Lunar Society. It was cast by Horseley Ironworks.
The structure is Listed Grade 1.
By road: Off A457
By rail: Adjacent to Smethwick Galton Bridge Station
Burton, Anthony, Thomas Telford, Aurum Press, ISBN-10: 185410652X (2000)
Davies, R. H., The Birmingham Canal Navigations Through Time, Amberley Publishing, ISBN-10: 1445602253 (2010)
Hindley, G., History of the Roads, Peter Davies, ISBN-10: 0806502908 (1971)
Institute of Civil Engineers, Thomas Telford: 250 Years of Inspiration, Thomas Telford, ISBN-10: 0727735004 (2007)
Norrie, Charles Matthew, Bridging the Years - A Short History of British Civil Engineering, Edward Arnold, ASIN: B0000CJJ7M (1956)
Quenby, Ron, Thomas Telford's Aqueducts on the Shropshire Union Canal, Swan Hill Press, ISBN-10: 1853102466 (1992)
Rolt, L. T. C., Victorian Engineering, The History Press, ISBN-10: 0750946571 (2007)
Shill, Ray, Birmingham Canal Navigations: At the Heart of the British Canal System, The History Press, ISBN-10: 0752427679 (2002)
Birmingham Canal Navigation Society
Forgotten Relics - Listed Bridges and Viaducts
Structurae - Galton Bridge