The featured image above shows Newdale Bridge after some path work improvements were undertaken. [1]
The location of Newdale Bridge on Google Maps.
Newdale Bridge is one extant remnant of the old tramway which probably ran between Ketley and Horsehay. The images below show its location. The bridge is recorded by Historic England as a Grade II listed structure (No. 1025096). It was listed on 8th April 1983. [5]
The Wrekin Local Studies Forum records this bridge in these words: “An extensive network of tramways was built, with horses pulling small waggons laden with coal, firclay and other minerals, connecting various mines to foundry sites. Pioneered by Abraham Darby II, Newdale Tram Bridge, crossing over Ketley Dingle, was built in 1759 around the same time [as] Darby’s revolutionary idea for the first purpose-built workers’ village, New Dale, with a small foundry, various cottages and the impressive long row consisting of 17 back-to-back dwellings.” [6]
Newdale Village has long-gone but the tramway bridge has been retained.
This first image shows the immediate vicinity of the Bridge in the 21st century. The blue line represents the line of the tramway. The redline represents the Wellington to Severn Junction Branch of the GWR which is now a part of the Ironbridge Way public footpath. Newdale Bridge is sited just to the West of the route of the old railway. It is clear that the tramway ran across the line of the old railway, perhaps going under a low bridge, although it did predate the railway and may have been cut by the construction work for the standard-gauge line. [2] An extract from the 6″ OS Mapping of 1882 which was published in 1887. Newdale Bridge crossed the stream just to the West of the standard-gauge line and to the East of Newdale. Without further research it is difficult to be sure of the tramway alignment away from the immediate vicinity of the Bridge. The mapping suggests that the tramway and the road on the East side of Newdale was cut by the building of the railway. In all probability the tramway used to run North-South alongside what was to be the route of the new railway as shown below. However, by the time of the 1882 survey the tramway rails had been lifted. [3]21st century housing to the West of Newdale Bridge. [My photograph, 9th June 2022]Ironbridge Way, the old Wellington to Severn Junction Railway, looking North from close to Newdale Bridge towards the M54. [My photograph, 9th June 2022]Ironbridge Way, the old Wellington to Severn Junction Railway, looking South from close to Newdale Bridge towards Morrison’s Supermarket which has been built over the line of the old railway. [My photograph, 9th June 2022]Looking West from the Ironbridge Way over Newdale Bridge. [My photograph, 9th June 2022]Looking East along the spandrel walls of the two arched Newdale Bridge. [My photographs, 9th June 2022]Looking West at low level along the spandrel walls of Newdale Bridge. [My photograph, 9th June 2022]Looking South towards Newdale Bridge from the adjacent footpath. [My photograph, 9th June 2022]Looking East at low level along the spandrel walls of Newdale Bridge. You will note that all the low level pictures of the bridge are taken from the North side. The southern side is inaccessible because of thick undergrowth. [My photograph, 9th June 2022]
5 thoughts on “Early Tramroads near Telford – Part 5 – Newdale Bridge”
Michael Ward
The Lilleshall Company was using limestone and lime at the Old Lodge Furnaces from Steeraway between 1831 and 1835. To reach the furnaces they must have had a tramway going south to the Coalbrookdale branch of the Shropshire Canal or used this tramway to reach the Ketley canal, the incline plane being out of use by then.
Dear Michael
That is interesting. AS I am new to the area, I still have much to learn about where places are and their history. Might you be able to out the location and tramway route on gogle maps, or something similar and I will have a look.
Kind rgeagrd
Roger
Roger,
Steeraway Quarries (SJ65524 09639) are to the west of Newdale. A tramway heading south to the Little Wenlock road is shown on the maps. There is the suggestion of the route of a tramway heading east to the Lawley Furnaces (SJ66725 09364) and hence to Newdale?.
The Donnington Wood Furnaces and The Old Lodge Furnaces (SJ71696 12268) (built 1824) got their limestone via the Donnington Wood Canal from Lilleshall Mines. Whether there was a problem during that time (1831-50) at the Lilleshall mines have yet to discover it.
Michael
Roger Farnworth 
The Lilleshall Company was using limestone and lime at the Old Lodge Furnaces from Steeraway between 1831 and 1835. To reach the furnaces they must have had a tramway going south to the Coalbrookdale branch of the Shropshire Canal or used this tramway to reach the Ketley canal, the incline plane being out of use by then.
Dear Michael
That is interesting. AS I am new to the area, I still have much to learn about where places are and their history. Might you be able to out the location and tramway route on gogle maps, or something similar and I will have a look.
Kind rgeagrd
Roger
Roger,
Steeraway Quarries (SJ65524 09639) are to the west of Newdale. A tramway heading south to the Little Wenlock road is shown on the maps. There is the suggestion of the route of a tramway heading east to the Lawley Furnaces (SJ66725 09364) and hence to Newdale?.
The Donnington Wood Furnaces and The Old Lodge Furnaces (SJ71696 12268) (built 1824) got their limestone via the Donnington Wood Canal from Lilleshall Mines. Whether there was a problem during that time (1831-50) at the Lilleshall mines have yet to discover it.
Michael
Thank you
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