Final view of iconic bridge captured by painter

David Ford completes his picture before the bridge disappears forever.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

SADDLEWORTH artist David Ford yesterday put the finishing touches to a painting which captures the end of an era for Oldham.

David set up his easel on the approach to Mumps Bridge from Lees for the final brushstrokes to a lasting record of one of Oldham’s most famous landmarks.

Work starts tomorrow to demolish the former railway bridge, which stands over Mumps roundabout, to make way for a new Metrolink line that will run at ground level through the junction.

First to go will be sections of the Northern end — on the road leading away from Oldham town centre — which will be removed by crane, signalling the beginning of the end for the iconic bridge which carried distinctive advertising slogans, such as “Oldham, the home of the tubular bandage.”

David’s passion is for local scenes and landmarks, and with upwards of 3,000 paintings under his belt, Mumps bridge was never going to escape his paintbrush.

He said: “I am always keen to record history, so when I found out Mumps bridge was going to be demolished I thought I would give it a go.”

David shed some light on why the area is called Mumps.

He said: “I was painting in Uppermill the other day and a lady told me tramps, who used to be called mumpers, used to shelter under the bridge — so it became known as Mumps.

Chronicle reader Ian Hollingworth, from Dobcross, sent a picture in earlier this week of a figure on the bridge which appears to be a tramp waving farewell. David has included an image of the shot in his painting of the bridge, which dates back 150 years and was for a time the world’s longest non-suspension,single-span bridge.

The artist is now in the process of having prints made of his watercolour, which he will sign, number and sell for £20 in aid of Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Royton.

Ring David on 01457-875239 or Dr Kershaw’s appeals office on 0161-624 9984 for details.


Road to close for four days
The northern section of the bridge will be removed first by crane.

The road under the northern bridge — leading away from Oldham town centre — will be closed from 7pm today until 6am on Tuesday, August 31.

Traffic heading towards the town centre will not be affected.

Sign-posted diversions will be in place for traffic leaving the town centre.

Work to demolish the other half of the bridge will be carried out at a later date.