Broughton Suspension Bridge, Suspension bridge in Broughton, England
The iron chain bridge spans 144 feet across the River Irwell, connecting the townships of Broughton and Pendleton in Greater Manchester.
John Fitzgerald funded the construction of this crossing in 1826, establishing the first direct connection between his estates and coal mines at Pendleton.
The bridge collapse of 1831 led to a permanent change in military protocols, requiring soldiers to break formation when crossing bridges worldwide.
The structure collected tolls from pedestrians and vehicles until neighboring free bridges opened, making the charging system financially unsustainable.
A single poorly forged bolt caused the bridge's catastrophic failure when soldiers marched in step, leading to 40 troops falling into the river below.
GPS coordinates: 53.49611,-2.27000
Latest update: September 23, 2025 16:45
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