Castle Walk Footbridge

The Castle Walk Footbridge is a concrete structure that crosses the River Severn in Shrewsbury, linking the Castlefields neighborhood on one side with Cherry Orchard and Underdale on the other. The bridge is built using a cantilever design with a central suspended section that spans the river without touching the water below.

This structure was completed in 1951 and was the first of its kind in the region, introducing a new building method that was just becoming common in Britain at that time. The design by L.G. Mouchel and Partners marked a shift toward using advanced techniques in local infrastructure projects.

The bridge connects neighborhoods where locals cross regularly, becoming part of their everyday routes around the castle area. It serves as a shortcut for residents heading to work or shops, blending into the rhythm of how people move through Shrewsbury.

The bridge has ramps on both sides to help people with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility challenges cross easily. Lighting fixtures along the path make it safe to use even when it gets dark in the evening or early morning.

The bridge was built using a special construction method called prestressed concrete, a technique that was so new at the time that this became the first example of its use in the entire county. The engineering approach allowed the structure to be both strong and lean without needing support columns in the river itself.

GPS coordinates: 52.71250,-2.74389

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01