Towpath Bridge At Soho Foundry (Approximately 160 Metres East Of Rabone Lane) Birmingham Canal Birmingham Level

The Towpath Bridge at Soho Foundry, located approximately 160 metres east of Rabone Lane, is a bridge that carries the north towpath of the Birmingham Canal over a disused branch. It was built in the early to mid-19th century and is made of cast iron. The bridge features brick abutments with chamfered sandstone quoins and has a single shallow segmental arch. The sides of the bridge are pierced to create a lattice pattern of saltire crosses. The northern half of the bridge is situated on the Soho Foundry side, where the boundary wall runs across the bridge parallel to the main canal. This section of the Birmingham Canal was first opened in 1769 and was straightened by Thomas Telford in 1827, at which time double towpaths were added. The Soho Foundry, established by Boulton, Watt and Sons in 1796, was used for producing castings for steam engines.