The world’s first iron-built bridge was constructed in 1779 by Abraham Darby III, across that part of the Severn Gorge which now takes its name from the bridge. The Iron Bridge was cast in sections at Darby’s Coalbrookdale works before being erected piecemeal. It provided a much needed link for road traffic between the manufacturing villages on both sides of the gorge. Containing almost 400 tons of castings and costing nearly £2,750 to build, the Iron Bridge is still open to pedestrians and is now a World Heritage Site.