Enjoy the Menai Straits Bridge to Anglesey, Innovative Design by Thomas Telford
When you approach Anglesey in North Wales you will see the enigmatic Menai Straits Bridge, designed and constructed by Thomas Telford, the famous 19th century engineer. The strong tidal waters crossing to Anglesey from the mainland has been a challenge for centuries and finally Telford and his team managed to come up with an innovative design which was up to the task. You will enjoy the coastal views from this bridge as you cross to the island for your vacation.
A step back in time suggests that Menai Bridge may have been a small Roman settlement and at this point of the Menai Straits there was a ferry crossing, as it is where the island and mainland are nearest. Further north monks, visiting the Augustinian Priory at Penmon a few centuries ago, would cross the Lavan sands north west of Bangor at low tide, and made for the shore at Llanfaes, north of Beaumaris.
So what events led to Telford being commissioned with the task of constructing such this impressive Menai Straits Bridge, an innovative example of civil engineering for the early nineteenth century? Following the Act of Union between Britain and Ireland in 1800 pressure grew for a far more efficient transport link between London and the Irish capital, Dublin.
We only have to recall the story of the composer Handel trying to get over to Dublin from Holyhead in 1742 to realise how difficult travel was between England and Ireland. Not only was it difficult to cross the Snowdon Mountains but also the sea crossing to Anglesey and then the voyage across the Irish Sea, from Holyhead to Dublin, were big challenges.
A bridge crossing to Anglesey island was the key improvement in the London Dublin transport link, with a ferry from the port of Holyhead already in service. Building work began across the Menai Straits in 1819 after much political negotiation and pressure. The two huge towers which you see are a key feature of the bridge and they are made from limestone from the nearby island quarry. Sixteen wrought iron chain cables supported the bridge across the 175 metre gap, but they were replaced with steel cables before World War Two.
Travel times have been transformed dramatically since the early nineteenth century. Just consider that before 1826 it took 36 hours to travel by coach from London to Holyhead. After completion of the Menai Suspension Bridge journey times reduced to 27 hours for the same route. Contrast that with a car journey today between Holyhead and London taking about 6 hours, such are the benefits of Telford's Menai Straits Bridge, modern roads and the internal combustion engine.
When you come to Anglesey, you will find there are some great coastal and wooded walks close by on both sides of this bridge, which are signposted and accessed easily. And from the bridge as you look northwards, you see Menai Bridge harbour below with small yachts and the Bangor University ocean research ship moored nearby in the tidal waters. Yachts can pass under the bridge even at high water, as they sail up towards Beaumaris and Puffin Island.
Looking south west from the bridge and down from the walkway you can see how the strong tidal waters of the Menai Straits flow down past a small island, Ynys Gorad Goch, towards the Britannia Bridge and then on past Caernarfon Castle and the open sea. On the Anglesey coastline to the south is the old Indefatigable School just beyond the Britannia Bridge road and rail crossing. The coastal views are spectacular as you inhale the fresh sea air, high up on this beautiful, iconic Menai Straits Bridge.
A step back in time suggests that Menai Bridge may have been a small Roman settlement and at this point of the Menai Straits there was a ferry crossing, as it is where the island and mainland are nearest. Further north monks, visiting the Augustinian Priory at Penmon a few centuries ago, would cross the Lavan sands north west of Bangor at low tide, and made for the shore at Llanfaes, north of Beaumaris.
So what events led to Telford being commissioned with the task of constructing such this impressive Menai Straits Bridge, an innovative example of civil engineering for the early nineteenth century? Following the Act of Union between Britain and Ireland in 1800 pressure grew for a far more efficient transport link between London and the Irish capital, Dublin.
We only have to recall the story of the composer Handel trying to get over to Dublin from Holyhead in 1742 to realise how difficult travel was between England and Ireland. Not only was it difficult to cross the Snowdon Mountains but also the sea crossing to Anglesey and then the voyage across the Irish Sea, from Holyhead to Dublin, were big challenges.
A bridge crossing to Anglesey island was the key improvement in the London Dublin transport link, with a ferry from the port of Holyhead already in service. Building work began across the Menai Straits in 1819 after much political negotiation and pressure. The two huge towers which you see are a key feature of the bridge and they are made from limestone from the nearby island quarry. Sixteen wrought iron chain cables supported the bridge across the 175 metre gap, but they were replaced with steel cables before World War Two.
Travel times have been transformed dramatically since the early nineteenth century. Just consider that before 1826 it took 36 hours to travel by coach from London to Holyhead. After completion of the Menai Suspension Bridge journey times reduced to 27 hours for the same route. Contrast that with a car journey today between Holyhead and London taking about 6 hours, such are the benefits of Telford's Menai Straits Bridge, modern roads and the internal combustion engine.
When you come to Anglesey, you will find there are some great coastal and wooded walks close by on both sides of this bridge, which are signposted and accessed easily. And from the bridge as you look northwards, you see Menai Bridge harbour below with small yachts and the Bangor University ocean research ship moored nearby in the tidal waters. Yachts can pass under the bridge even at high water, as they sail up towards Beaumaris and Puffin Island.
Looking south west from the bridge and down from the walkway you can see how the strong tidal waters of the Menai Straits flow down past a small island, Ynys Gorad Goch, towards the Britannia Bridge and then on past Caernarfon Castle and the open sea. On the Anglesey coastline to the south is the old Indefatigable School just beyond the Britannia Bridge road and rail crossing. The coastal views are spectacular as you inhale the fresh sea air, high up on this beautiful, iconic Menai Straits Bridge.
About the Author:
Anglesey island is a fascinating holiday destination off North Wales, according to David Phillips who owns a helpful local web information source. Discover more about Menai Suspension Bridge, an amazing 19th century road bridge attraction linking island to mainland.
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