Buildwas - The Power Station
 Ironbridge (Buildwas) Power Station [5]
Continuing along Buildwas Road towards Ironbridge you will see the buildings and four cooling towers of Ironbridge Power Station established 1965.
People have mixed feelings about this site, they either hate it or like it. As you go down river, think about the fact that this was an area of great industry and power and does this station fit in?
Aesthetically, the cooling towers are constructed to blend into the Gorge and in a way fit in with the use of the Gorge all those years ago almost looking a bit like the old pottery and tile kilns.
 They also create an interesting environment within the Gorge, because with the high sides of woodland on either side of the river and the warmer waters of the river along with the steam emanating from the towers and circulating within the Gorge, it creates an almost tropical atmosphere which allows some plants to grow in gardens that should not actually be surviving in this area.
Because the power station is run by coal, there is still a small rail line remaining between Madeley Junction and Buildwas via Lightmoor which transports 5-6 coal trains each day to the station. Oil is also transported to the station by heavy lorry and by rail.
As you drive a bit further along you will see a lovely, presently abandoned, brick and glass building on the south bank of the river. This was one of the original Power Station buildings and is called the Old Station/Pump Station.
Albert Edward Bridge [6]
Just after the entrance to the power station, you will see the Albert Edward Bridge which carries the train used to deliver coal to the plant.
 Trains cross 5-6 times each day so perhaps the children will get lucky and see it cross the river with its cars piled high with coal.
This is the second main bridge to cross the river, and was built just after the Wenlock rail line opened in 1863.
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