Trent And Mersey Canal Willowgreen Bridge (Canal Bridge Number 208)

Willowgreen Bridge, also known as Canal Bridge Number 208, is a canal accommodation bridge built in the early to mid-19th century for the Trent and Mersey Canal Company. It is constructed of washed English garden wall bond purple-red brick. The bridge abutments support slightly cambered cast-iron I-beams resting on stone pads, which are marked with the foundry name T. Shore & Sons Engineers Hanley Staffs. Above these beams is a plain parapet featuring a rounded brick coping. The ends of the bridge are finished with pilasters that have stone caps. Beneath the roadway, there are shallow barrel vaults made of opus signinum, supported by the I-beams. This method of construction was introduced in the early 19th century for fireproofing factories and is considered unusual in the context of canal engineering.