DOCUMENTARY / DRAMA
The Iron Bridge

Writer: Aidan Magrath
Producer: Chris Burton
Documentary Director: Oly Dempster
Drama Director: Phil Hawkins
Production Manager: Sarah England
Director Of Photography: Chris Burton
Additional Photograpy: Kate Harvest / Nicky Wells / Iain Cash
Sound Recordists: Mark Nuttall / Mike Mullen
Original Music: Satsumo

Status:
In Post-Production - Awaiting Client Sign Off

Technical Specifications:
Length: 26 mins
Shooting Format: Super 16mm / Hi-Definition
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen

The Iron Bridge in Brabyn's Park, Marple is of significant historical importance and over the past few decades has fallen into a poor state of repair.

Now, with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, not to mention years of fund raising from local people, over half a million pounds has been allocated to spend on it's restoration.

It's a complicated process, both in bearucracy and construction, and will take 12 months to complete.

Rather than repair the listed bridge, the council decided to place a temporary 'Bailey Bridge' over the top of it in 1991. This had to be removed before work could begin with a painstaking crane operation. Underneath this, a gas mains had been installed across the bridge. Because this was installed prior to the bridge's Grade II listed status, the gas company hasn't got to contribute anything to the rerouting and this has cost the project an additional £30,000.

We start seeing the bridge in its tranquil surroundings and follow the restoration work through the eyes of both the contractors explaining the technical issues and local people passionate about the project.

The film follows the frustrations of local volunteers and the celebrations as each stage is reached, culminating in an open day and launch event when the project is completed.

The film also explores the history behind the bridge using period drama reconstructions. It was originally built in in 1813 for the then owner of the Brabyns Estate and wealthy mill owner, Nathaniel Wright. Its purpose was as a carriage bridge across the River Goyt, creating access to Wright's estate from the village of Compstall. It was constructed of cast iron by the Salford Iron Works and is one of only 2 examples in the country.

17 shoot days have so far been booked in for the project. The bulk of the filming is on Hi-Definition but major engineering work is also being acquired using specialist 16mm film timelapse equipment.

A 26 minute edit combining the drama and the documentary is being produced with the hope that the broadcast rights to the project can be marketed.

You can keep up to date with the construction on the project by visiting the Marple website.