North Bridge, the Burdock Way flyover and Dean Clough mills, Halifax

I've been wanting to photograph these bridges for some time now, getting my chance on a walk around Halifax a few weeks ago, whilst my car was in the garage. My vantage point is the car park of the local sports centre, where my son attends classes a couple of times a week.

The lower bridge is the Victorian Gothic style North Bridge, opened in 1871 and made of iron and stone. It cost £21,000 to build (17 shillings & sixpence per square foot) and was apparently the cheapest bridge in England at the time (and is still in use today for local traffic). On the day it opened the whole town was given a half day off work and the crowds surged across the bridge before it had been officially opened, needing to be held back by 20 mounted soldiers!

In 1973, the (much less photogenic!) Burdock Way flyover (above it on this photo) was built to carry heavier and through traffic.

In the background, under North Bridge, you can see some of the Dean Clough mills complex. These mills were built in the mid-1800's for carpet manufacturing. They now house many different businesses, including art galleries, restaurants and a radio station.

History lesson over...!

Camera/lens settings: ISO 100, f/11, 1/160s, 18mm, hand held.