A FAN of the old Wye Bridge is hoping his research into the crossing between Tutshill and Chepstow will persuade others it is worthy of world heritage status.

The bridge, which will celebrate it’s bi-centenary is the world’s largest iron road bridge built before 1830.

John Burrows has spent three years researching the crossing’s place in the history of bridge development.

Mr Burrows’s interest was sparked by his study of the Wye’s tides from the bridge.

As well as making the leaflet available around the town including Chepstow Tourist Information Centre and local pubs, he is also sending it to engineers and architects in London “to get them to take notice of it.”

He said: “It should be a world heritage site it is the largest iron bridge remaining from the first 50 years of iron but is totally ignored.

“This bridge is really significant – it is a five arch bridge and I don’t think there is another five arch bridge in Britain, if not the world.

“Of the 10 longest iron road bridges built in the world before 1830, only Chepstow remains.”

The 370-feet long (113m) bridge was designed and built by John Urpeth Rastrick who had built some of the world’s earliest railway engines from 1806.

Some 5,000 copies of the leaflet have been produced with help from Chepstow Town Council.

Mr Burrows is working on another leaflet to mark the 50th anniversary of the Severn?Bridge next year.