Warrington Transporter Bridge
Ojay/Hairy Cnut they be calling Lawrence
Some Shizzle:
The Warrington Transporter Bridge (or Bank Quay Transporter Bridge) was opened across the tidal River Mersey in 1916
Designed by William Henry Hunter, and built by contractor Sir William Arrol at a cost of £34,000, to conect parts of the Joseph Crosfield and Son Ltd soap and chemical works
It was originally one of two such bridges at this location, the other having been built in 1905
Initially it carried railway trucks up to 18 tonnes in weight but was converted for road vehicles in 1940 and upgraded to 30 tonne weight limit in 1953
The double steel cantilevers on each tower support a central 61m (200 ft) span of riveted mild steel plates and angles
The overall length of the structure is 103m (339 ft) and it provides 23m (76 ft) clearance at high water
The firm of Joseph Crosfield & Sons Ltd continued to thrive and grow after his death, producing a variety of chemicals
In 1911 it was purchased by Brunner,Mond & Company and 1919 it was absorbed into Lever Brothers
From 1929, Crosfield was a subsidiary of Unilever
In 1997 it was acquired by ICI and in 2001, When Ineos Capital purchased the company, the Crosfield name was finally lost as it was renamed Ineos Silicas
The bridge is listed by English Heritage as Grade II but is currently on their Buildings at Risk Register because of its poor condition and deteriorating ironwork
It is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The bridge is preserved under a 50 year lease in possession of Warrington Borough Council (expires 2027)
Once up we soon discovered this bridge is somewhat of a derp and shouldn't be climbed by n00bs
..Oh wait
This is how it should be done
Eventually making it to the other side
Double steel cantilevers
Climbing about on here during the day is bound to attract unwanted attention, but what the hell this is how we roll
"Get down from the bridge NOW!!!!" Hahaha
Yes we were busted, the bloke wasn't all that bad in the end, even offered us a ride around the plant in his van..
I accidentaly left the camera rolling
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