Where is the Galton Bridge?

The Galton Bridge is at Roebuck Lane, Smethwick, B66 1BS. It crosses over the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline (Birmingham Level).

In brief

A cast iron bridge in Smethwick, it opened in 1829 as a road bridge. It was built by Thomas Telford to carry a road across the new main line of the Birmingham Canal, built in a deep cutting.

Galton Bridge from the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Main Line (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

Galton Bridge - history

The bridge at 70 feet (21 metres) above the canal is believed to have been the highest single-span arch bridge in the world when it was built. 

Galton Bridge from the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Main Line (February 2023). Photography by Jonathan Bostock

The bridge carried heavy vehicles for almost 150 years until the 1970s. From then it has only been open for pedestrians and cyclists.

Galton Bridge from the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Main Line (February 2023). Photography by Jonathan Bostock

The bridge gave it's name to Smethwick Galton Bridge Station which opened in 1995, the high level carries the Snow Hill lines (via the Jewellery Line) and the low level (visible from the bridge) carries the Birmingham New Street to Wolverhampton line (Stour Valley Line).

Galton Bridge from Smethwick Galton Bridge Station high level (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

The Galton Bridge was named after Samuel Galton, a local businessman and major investor in the Birmingham Canal Company.

Galton Bridge from the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Main Line (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

The ironwork was cast by Horseley Ironworks at its canal-side factory near Tipton.

Galton Bridge from the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Main Line (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

The best view of the Galton Bridge from Smethwick Galton Bridge Station, is from the high level on platform 1 (trains arriving from Birmingham Snow Hill).  You can also kind of see it from platform 2 opposite (while waiting for a train back to Birmingham).

Galton Bridge from Smethwick Galton Bridge Station high level (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown