Palatine Bridge, Salford

The Palatine Bridge is a road bridge spanning the River Irwell in Salford, connecting Manchester Victoria to the opposite side. The structure uses twelve wrought-iron box girders and cast iron parapets characteristic of Victorian engineering design.

The bridge was completed in 1864 to improve the connection between the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and the city of Salford. The project emerged from negotiations between the railway company and the city council to provide better access to Victoria station.

Built to serve railway traffic, the bridge represents a practical Victorian solution for urban mobility. Today, pedestrians and vehicles cross it daily as part of the busy flow between the two areas.

The bridge has a noticeable gradient of about 1 in 30, which becomes apparent when walking, especially in wet conditions. With separate paths for pedestrians and vehicles, crossing is relatively straightforward and well-organized.

A landowner required special planning for the bridge's southern anchorage to increase property values in his area. This unusual condition significantly influenced the final design of the structure.