Photographs of the High Level Bridge

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Designed by Robert Stephenson and built between 1847 and 1849, the High Level Bridge is the first major example of a wrought iron tied arch or bow-string girder bridge. It has six river spans and four land spans. The roadway is situated between a pair of ribs some 20 feet apart and walkways are sited on either side of the roadway in a 6 foot gap between the central and outside ribs. The upper, railway, platform, rests on the arches of the ribs, whilst the lower roadway is suspended from the ribs on wrought iron rods. It was officially opened on 27 September 1849 by Queen Victoria. It's one of my favourate bridges along the Tyne.