It is known as Locomotive Bridge and in its heyday helped keep the development of Huddersfield on track.
And now the iconic structure, located on Huddersfield Broad Canal just down from Aspley Wharf, is 150 years old.
Also known as Turnbridge, it was built over the Sir John Ramsden Canal, to cope with the increased weight of traffic in 1865.
The driving force behind its construction was Richard Armitage, proprietor of Turnbridge Ironworks.
His business required the passage of heavy loads which had outgrown the capacity of the old swing bridge at the site.
Sir John Ramsden Canal was built between 1774 and 1776 to link Huddersfield with the Calder and Hebble Navigation.
It later became known as the Huddersfield Broad Canal and proved to be a lifeline for the rapidly developing textile industry, bringing in coal and shipping out finished textiles for which Huddersfield was world renowned.
The bridge, made of iron girders with planking over the central section of the roadway, has undergone many changes since its construction. It is now lifted with the aid of an electric motor, but still exhibits distinctive counterweights bearing the date 1865.
It has Scheduled Ancient Monument status, which makes it a heritage asset of national importance, and means the bridge — behind Sainsbury’s at Shore Head — has protection against unauthorised change, and must be retained for future generations.
Huddersfield Canal Society and Calder Navigation Society members gathered at the bridge today Tuesday to mark the anniversary, and Huddersfield Canal Society chairman, Alan Stopher, said: “Turnbridge is a much loved Scheduled Ancient Monument in a town full of fine buildings. It is entirely fitting that its 150 year anniversary is being celebrated.”
