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Iron Bridge near Lyell, at the start of New Creek Rd. 1960s.
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DescriptionPeter Kerr
John and Andrew Anderson were sons of the first owner of Andersons Foundry in Christchurch. They only built the foundations for Pattersons Creek, the superstructure was finished by Scotts of ChCh some years later. Andersons were into large bridges in a big way 1880s-1890s. Waitete railway viaduct at Te Kuiti, Waiau Ferry brige near Hanmer, Iron bridge at Lyell, several railway viaducts in the Taieri Gorge, suspension bridge over the Hope at Glen Wye and Kowhai railway viaduct near Springfield. All were wrought iron, most are still in use.PhotographerKelvin ManleyDate of Photo1960s.Map[1] ContributorKelvin and Maureen Manley
John and Andrew Anderson were sons of the first owner of Andersons Foundry in Christchurch. They only built the foundations for Pattersons Creek, the superstructure was finished by Scotts of ChCh some years later. Andersons were into large bridges in a big way 1880s-1890s. Waitete railway viaduct at Te Kuiti, Waiau Ferry brige near Hanmer, Iron bridge at Lyell, several railway viaducts in the Taieri Gorge, suspension bridge over the Hope at Glen Wye and Kowhai railway viaduct near Springfield. All were wrought iron, most are still in use.PhotographerKelvin ManleyDate of Photo1960s.Map[1] ContributorKelvin and Maureen Manley
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Location (city or town)New Creek RdLyellLandmark (Place)Ironbridge
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Category TagBridge
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CommentsBarbara Lyall
My father worked at Baigent,s mill somewhere near there and did goldmining.Geoff Roberts
Shame there is not a mention by NZTA or DOC.. about the age an history of this bridge near the approach to it ....How many steel bridges built in 1888 for horse an cart are still carrying 50 ton trucks today...??
Roger O'Regan
Geoff Roberts
I so agree with you Geoff. This must be one of the most historic structures which was carted by horses, for horse and wheeled vehicles to cross the river. Now it carries 60 tonne rigs. Super slice of history which should definitely have s sign to inform the public of its history. I second your suggestion!
Geoff Roberts
Roger O'Regan Had always been told that it is only the 2nd iron bridge made in NZ...I think made in Dunedin transported to Westport by boat then by wagon...
Roger O'Regan
Geoff Roberts
My brother Lester in Nelson has a bit of history on it Geoff. I can't remember all he told me, but iron bridges are super rare, especially now, and no others would have the longevity of the famous 'Iron Bridge'
Geoff Roberts
Roger O'Regan Spoken to him recently but on Studebaker matters...But might have to quiz him more about the bridge.
Roger O'Regan
Geoff Roberts
Lol Geoff! Pretty up on lots of stuff that lad!
Geoff Roberts
Roger O'Regan
Sue Ca
Great pic
Dorothy Wills
Great picture
Peter Kerr
Built by J. and A. Andeson in the late !880's. It is not a steel bridge but wrought iron, a somewhat lesser material but more resistant to rust.John Lester
Interesting fossils in that Bluff
Brent Duggan
I remember that so well Kelvin when us Duggan’s came to visit the Manley’s.
Gabrelle Hart
And People Think We Going Thru Hard Times.
Bob Laing
I went from Reefton to Westport for the first time in 1955-56. The Buller gorge road was very similar, narrow and very winding
Peter Kerr
John and Andrew Anderson were sons of the first owner of Andersons Foundry in Christchurch. They only built the foundations for Pattersons Creek, the superstructure was finished by Scotts of ChCh some years later. Andersons were into large bridges in a big way 1880s-1890s. Waitete railway viaduct at Te Kuiti, Waiau Ferry brige near Hanmer, Iron bridge at Lyell, several railway viaducts in the Taieri Gorge, suspension bridge over the Hope at Glen Wye and Kowhai railway viaduct near Springfield. All were wrought iron, most are still in use.
Kevin Oregan
Never knew this about the Iron Bridge. Still in use today. Can't recall a plaque on it.
Reply
6h
Roger O'Regan
Kevin Oregan
I was always led to believe that Andersons did the castings for the iron bridge.
A long established Christchurch business, and of high reputation.
Reply
24m
Graham Piner
I was led to believe a Scotsman designed it
Reply
5h
Pam Englefield-Absolum
Graham Piner Anderson was from Scotland.
Reply
5h
Pam Englefield-Absolum
https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwibk6Tjkr-AAxXf4TgGHfCPAWIQFnoECC8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peelingbackhistory.co.nz%2Fandersons-legacy-ended-after-135-years-1986%2F&usg=AOvVaw1tBi4Xsjyy8x-AHtTxcwh9&opi=89978449
Anderson’s Legacy Ended After 135 Years – 1986
PEELINGBACKHISTORY.CO.NZ
Anderson’s Legacy Ended After 135 Years – 1986
Anderson’s Legacy Ended After 135 Years – 1986
Reply
5h
Kevin Lawrie
the iron bridge,was builtby
Kevin Lawrie
iron bridge was built by griffiths foundry from birchfield,also mokihinui river bridge,(karamea end) read the book birchfield.
Margaret Chamberlain
Mangos farm was down that road, stayed there back in the 50s with Auntie Clare Mangos
Lorraine O'Donoghue
Margaret Chamberlain Jim and I used to go up at weekends and do jobs around the farm until the farm sold. I was chief cook and bottle washer. Even took a prospective buyer around the farm boundary one weekend.
Margaret Chamberlain
Lorraine O'Donoghue great memories
Dorothy Wills
Great picture
John Lester
Good shell fossils in that bluff back in the day
Heather Newby
John Lester Amy Jensen
David Wood
Last there in 2017 - New Creek road still looks much the same, the bridge looks much the same - but was surprised to find traffic lights where New Creek Road meets the main road!
Jim Staton
Agree with Kevin, Griffiths also built one of the large railway bridges on the NI main trunk line.
Ian Borlase
When you look at the engineering involved in the construction of that bridge for the times you realise we haven't really advanced much as a country.
Except of course, more red tape , compliance , environmental road blocks and health and safety issues .
Phil Wright
Ian BorlaseYeah, imagine them building that nowadays,what it would cost with paper shufflers and H&S, consultants all clipping the bloody ticket?!
Myron Caldwell
Ian Borlase are you being slightly cynical about health and safety etc nowadays. They have delayed many things. Are you forbears from Westport area. I worked with John at Hornby and knew Billy in Westport......many moons ago. I was raised at Inangahua 12 miles from Iron Bridge.
Theresa Gibson
Superb photograph
Alan Mitchell
Andersons Foundry in ChCh done a very lot of boiler making work in there day.
Roger O'Regan
I believe there should be very visible notice at this bridge telling of its history. Built back in horse and carriage days, and today carrying 60 tonne trucks. Where else in NZ has this sort of engineering foresight been expressed.
Bruce Anderson
Hi I lived at New Creek
John Lester
Some good shell fossils revealled when new face was exposed during widening
Chalice Penman
Is that a Ford 10 car?
Brian Sutherland
Chalice Penman No that is a Austin 8 Chalice i am sure.
Michelle Manley
Brian Sutherland see my reply to Dads old Austin 8. 1948 model
Pete King
Chalice Penman austin 10
Murray Brown
Heading into the Mackely river and on to Denniston
21h
Reply
Geoff Roberts
Murray Brown On motorbike..or brave enough in 4x4
Murray Brown
Geoff Roberts
I've only been through, both ways 6 or 8 times in last 30 yrs
Going through again in a couple of weeks
Geoff Roberts
Murray Brown Never done it..but carted out of Reds coal bins plenty of times ...
Murray Brown
Geoff Roberts
4x4
Murray Brown
Geoff Roberts
Awesome
Give it a go in 4x4.
Bloody nice day out.
Be careful crossing the river.
Not just after rain
Myron Caldwell
Geoff Roberts I was told later on that the coal from there was in great demand at the Nelson Hospital. That was until some bright spark though....let us try wood chip to avoid carbon. It would need a number of trucks of chip as opposed to one load of coal.
Christine Brown
Murray Brown yes ... i no where this is. ?? i been there with you 4x4 trip ?
Chalice Penman
Is that a Ford 10 car?
Brian Sutherland
Chalice Penman No that is a Austin 8 Chalice i am sure.
Pete King
Chalice Penman austin 10
Lyn Tyson
#maureenmanley Kelvin might be interested in this x
Ian Borlase
When you look at the engineering involved in the construction of that bridge for the times you realise we haven't really advanced much as a country.
Except of course, more red tape , compliance , environmental road blocks and health and safety issues .
My father worked at Baigent,s mill somewhere near there and did goldmining.Geoff Roberts
Shame there is not a mention by NZTA or DOC.. about the age an history of this bridge near the approach to it ....How many steel bridges built in 1888 for horse an cart are still carrying 50 ton trucks today...??
Roger O'Regan
Geoff Roberts
I so agree with you Geoff. This must be one of the most historic structures which was carted by horses, for horse and wheeled vehicles to cross the river. Now it carries 60 tonne rigs. Super slice of history which should definitely have s sign to inform the public of its history. I second your suggestion!
Geoff Roberts
Roger O'Regan Had always been told that it is only the 2nd iron bridge made in NZ...I think made in Dunedin transported to Westport by boat then by wagon...
Roger O'Regan
Geoff Roberts
My brother Lester in Nelson has a bit of history on it Geoff. I can't remember all he told me, but iron bridges are super rare, especially now, and no others would have the longevity of the famous 'Iron Bridge'
Geoff Roberts
Roger O'Regan Spoken to him recently but on Studebaker matters...But might have to quiz him more about the bridge.
Roger O'Regan
Geoff Roberts
Lol Geoff! Pretty up on lots of stuff that lad!
Geoff Roberts
Roger O'Regan
Sue Ca
Great pic
Dorothy Wills
Great picture
Peter Kerr
Built by J. and A. Andeson in the late !880's. It is not a steel bridge but wrought iron, a somewhat lesser material but more resistant to rust.John Lester
Interesting fossils in that Bluff
Brent Duggan
I remember that so well Kelvin when us Duggan’s came to visit the Manley’s.
Gabrelle Hart
And People Think We Going Thru Hard Times.
Bob Laing
I went from Reefton to Westport for the first time in 1955-56. The Buller gorge road was very similar, narrow and very winding
Peter Kerr
John and Andrew Anderson were sons of the first owner of Andersons Foundry in Christchurch. They only built the foundations for Pattersons Creek, the superstructure was finished by Scotts of ChCh some years later. Andersons were into large bridges in a big way 1880s-1890s. Waitete railway viaduct at Te Kuiti, Waiau Ferry brige near Hanmer, Iron bridge at Lyell, several railway viaducts in the Taieri Gorge, suspension bridge over the Hope at Glen Wye and Kowhai railway viaduct near Springfield. All were wrought iron, most are still in use.
Kevin Oregan
Never knew this about the Iron Bridge. Still in use today. Can't recall a plaque on it.
Reply
6h
Roger O'Regan
Kevin Oregan
I was always led to believe that Andersons did the castings for the iron bridge.
A long established Christchurch business, and of high reputation.
Reply
24m
Graham Piner
I was led to believe a Scotsman designed it
Reply
5h
Pam Englefield-Absolum
Graham Piner Anderson was from Scotland.
Reply
5h
Pam Englefield-Absolum
https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwibk6Tjkr-AAxXf4TgGHfCPAWIQFnoECC8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peelingbackhistory.co.nz%2Fandersons-legacy-ended-after-135-years-1986%2F&usg=AOvVaw1tBi4Xsjyy8x-AHtTxcwh9&opi=89978449
Anderson’s Legacy Ended After 135 Years – 1986
PEELINGBACKHISTORY.CO.NZ
Anderson’s Legacy Ended After 135 Years – 1986
Anderson’s Legacy Ended After 135 Years – 1986
Reply
5h
Kevin Lawrie
the iron bridge,was builtby
Kevin Lawrie
iron bridge was built by griffiths foundry from birchfield,also mokihinui river bridge,(karamea end) read the book birchfield.
Margaret Chamberlain
Mangos farm was down that road, stayed there back in the 50s with Auntie Clare Mangos
Lorraine O'Donoghue
Margaret Chamberlain Jim and I used to go up at weekends and do jobs around the farm until the farm sold. I was chief cook and bottle washer. Even took a prospective buyer around the farm boundary one weekend.
Margaret Chamberlain
Lorraine O'Donoghue great memories
Dorothy Wills
Great picture
John Lester
Good shell fossils in that bluff back in the day
Heather Newby
John Lester Amy Jensen
David Wood
Last there in 2017 - New Creek road still looks much the same, the bridge looks much the same - but was surprised to find traffic lights where New Creek Road meets the main road!
Jim Staton
Agree with Kevin, Griffiths also built one of the large railway bridges on the NI main trunk line.
Ian Borlase
When you look at the engineering involved in the construction of that bridge for the times you realise we haven't really advanced much as a country.
Except of course, more red tape , compliance , environmental road blocks and health and safety issues .
Phil Wright
Ian BorlaseYeah, imagine them building that nowadays,what it would cost with paper shufflers and H&S, consultants all clipping the bloody ticket?!
Myron Caldwell
Ian Borlase are you being slightly cynical about health and safety etc nowadays. They have delayed many things. Are you forbears from Westport area. I worked with John at Hornby and knew Billy in Westport......many moons ago. I was raised at Inangahua 12 miles from Iron Bridge.
Theresa Gibson
Superb photograph
Alan Mitchell
Andersons Foundry in ChCh done a very lot of boiler making work in there day.
Roger O'Regan
I believe there should be very visible notice at this bridge telling of its history. Built back in horse and carriage days, and today carrying 60 tonne trucks. Where else in NZ has this sort of engineering foresight been expressed.
Bruce Anderson
Hi I lived at New Creek
John Lester
Some good shell fossils revealled when new face was exposed during widening
Chalice Penman
Is that a Ford 10 car?
Brian Sutherland
Chalice Penman No that is a Austin 8 Chalice i am sure.
Michelle Manley
Brian Sutherland see my reply to Dads old Austin 8. 1948 model
Pete King
Chalice Penman austin 10
Murray Brown
Heading into the Mackely river and on to Denniston
21h
Reply
Geoff Roberts
Murray Brown On motorbike..or brave enough in 4x4
Murray Brown
Geoff Roberts
I've only been through, both ways 6 or 8 times in last 30 yrs
Going through again in a couple of weeks
Geoff Roberts
Murray Brown Never done it..but carted out of Reds coal bins plenty of times ...
Murray Brown
Geoff Roberts
4x4
Murray Brown
Geoff Roberts
Awesome
Give it a go in 4x4.
Bloody nice day out.
Be careful crossing the river.
Not just after rain
Myron Caldwell
Geoff Roberts I was told later on that the coal from there was in great demand at the Nelson Hospital. That was until some bright spark though....let us try wood chip to avoid carbon. It would need a number of trucks of chip as opposed to one load of coal.
Christine Brown
Murray Brown yes ... i no where this is. ?? i been there with you 4x4 trip ?
Chalice Penman
Is that a Ford 10 car?
Brian Sutherland
Chalice Penman No that is a Austin 8 Chalice i am sure.
Pete King
Chalice Penman austin 10
Lyn Tyson
#maureenmanley Kelvin might be interested in this x
Ian Borlase
When you look at the engineering involved in the construction of that bridge for the times you realise we haven't really advanced much as a country.
Except of course, more red tape , compliance , environmental road blocks and health and safety issues .
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West Coast New Zealand History (8th Apr 2025). Iron Bridge near Lyell, at the start of New Creek Rd. 1960s.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 9th May 2026 03:43, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/22533