The bridge crosses the Severn Gorge. It was originally used as a roadway to transport coal,iron,and limestone to the surrounding areas.Since Shropshire had the most iron factories of any city in the world,it seemed reasonable to construct the bridge out of iron.Architects wanted to use and arch bridge over the gorge so that pipers would not block the river and hinder boats.
Today the bridge is considered a monument in Britain. Cars have not been allowed on the bridge since 1934.At its two-hundredth birthday in 1970,too many people were standing on the bridge. Parts of the bridge broke off and fell into the water.Today Shropshire officials will not allow more than two hundred people on the bridge at one time.