'I get goosepimples when I go there': The moving story behind the bridge over the A56
Thousands of people have used it over decades - but the story behind Altrincham's metal bridge is less well-known. Spanning a busy section of the A56, it stands not only a safe means of passage for pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren, but also as a touching monument.
"At the time there was a lot of heavy traffic as it was a main road then," Gordon said. "The traffic was all held up going one way and people in a car waved my dad across the road, he was on a moped. He got off and pushed it across the road. "Mr Joseph 'Harry' Whitby, aged 61, New Street, Altrincham, was killed by a car yesterday while he was crossing the A56, pushing his moped," it read.
Lillian, together with members of the gardeners' society that her husband belonged to, pushed for a bridge to be built spanning the busy road. Through her persistence, it was constructed just a few years after Harry's death. "I'm so proud and I get goosepimples when I go there to think that was done through my dad. And I'm so chuffed that bridge has probably saved a few lives as the road in them days was very, very dangerous."Following his trip back to the town he grew up in, Gordon posted a photo of the bridge on a public Facebook group for Altrincham. After he posted, people took to the comments to pass on their thoughts and tell him how vital the bridge has been to the community.
Meanwhile, Lorraine Quinn commented: "I used the bridge daily when I went to Loreto. Well done and thank you to your mum's efforts to get it built. I'm sure it's saved many lives and I had no idea of that history. May your dad rest in peace."
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