The Bridge

for G E who crossed over it many times

I was there

As a boy

And followed its progress

Observed the erection

Rivet by rivet

Girder by girder

Section

By section

With fingers inched out

Widnes to Runcorn

Runcorn to Widnes

To meet in the middle

Over wide Mersey waters

The arch great and graceful

Has always been green

And strong as clenched hands

An icon

A landmark

Named simply The Bridge

Which men now maintain

By removal of rust

Addition of paint

And widening of space

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gw2011

Unsuccessful attempts have been made to name and rename The Bridge (which replaced The Transporter Bridge) as Jubilee Bridge, Silver Jubilee Bridge, Runcorn-Widnes Bridge, Widnes-Runcorn Bridge, or even Halton Bridge. But The Bridge has always stood valiantly steadfast and firm. It refuses to kowtow to bureaucratic officialdom. The proud sign on Runcorn Expressway states boldly and loudly, lest there be any misunderstanding - THE BRIDGE.
Local people will not have it any other way! I was one of those there, a child dutifully waving his flag on a stick in return for half a day off school on the day when royalty came and The Bridge was officially opened. And like most in the crowd lining the route for the one who came late I knew even then that the Bridge would always be and always remain The Bridge.

image: courtesy of BBC.