If you like Transporter
Bridges (and who doesn't?) North Cheshire is the place to be.
They are quite rare and only about twenty have ever been built in
the world, four of them in England, two of which are in this area.
Runcorn's Transporter bridge is no longer with us. However is
the one in Warrrington is still there (with its gondola intact no
less!)
The bridge was built in 1915 and has been out of use since 1964.
It is privately owned and it was built to connect the two parts of
the large chemical and soap works. It was originally used to carry
rail vehicles up to 18 tons in weight, and then it was converted
for road vehicles in 1940.
The transporter bridge is a scheduled ancient monument and Grade
II listed building. However English heritage have stated that the
brigde is "at risk" due to neglect and decay. It would be a great
shame if it was lost as there are only two others in the country at
Middlesbrough (which is actually a
virtual cache) and Newport.
The bridge is on private land, in the middle of the works.
However the cache site is not and you can get a good view of it
from here. Please use the parking coordinates on Eastford Road,
after the viaduct the road becomes private. You can walk on it
though as at this point its part of the Trans Pennine Trail.
