Wigan Album

Hello Colin, it looks the bridge on Poolstock lane with the flats in the background.

Yes Winder correct, Worsley Mesnes in the background, the three High rise flats are now demolished.

It would appear that H.& S. would not even have been a consideration, in those far off days.

Oops, it actually tells you it's Poolstock Lane on the heading. Losing brain cells by the million on a daily basis.

Albert- In those days, demolition came under the Construction(Gen Provisions) Regs 1961 and part of the Factories Act 1961.It was covered by the Factory Inspector visiting a construction or demolition site. It wasn't until 1974/75 when the Heath & Safety at Work Act etc 1974 came into force that construction and demolition works were starting to be really covered. Now works are covered under a host of regulations brought in since 1992-1994 from the EU directives and there is more activity from the HSE. Looking at the old photographs of this era and the M6 section of this album H&S have come a long way since then, but we still get the deaths and injuries because of certain groups of employers and employees who continue to disregard safety.

There were a few people committed suicide jumping from that bridge.
Reported in the Wigan Observer 1960s was a young woman who jumped from the bridge and broke her leg. Was hauled off to court and fined ten shillings for attempted suicide; it was a crime in those days.

Jumping off that bridge would have been certain death, have you see how high it was.

Alan. It would seem that the young lady was extremely fortunate, to have only suffered a broken leg.

I can't see anyone surviving a fall from that bridge.

Prior to 1961, when suicide was a criminal offence. It was the only crime, in law, that didn't have any punishment related to it.

This I think is the bridge further back from Poolstock Lane, behind the tippings and over Smithy Brook

chris your wrong this is pooolstock lane bridge smithy brook was just yards before the bend in the road behind the workmen.