Cross Menai Straits Bridge, Beautiful Anglesey Coastal Views from Classic Bridge by 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.
Turn back the history pages and you may see that what is the busy little town of Menai Bridge today, may have been a Roman village, which people reached by crossing in a small ferry across the Menai Straits where the gap between island and mainland is narrowest. To the north are the Lavan sands where Augustinian monks heading for Penmon Priory would struggle across at low tide, heading for Llanfaes, near 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.
When you think how the famous composer George Frederick Handel struggled to reach Dublin from Holyhead in 1742, it shows you how difficult it was travelling between England and Ireland. After getting through the challenging Snowdon Mountain range, there was still the Menai Straits crossing and then the voyage to Dublin itself.
There was already a ship to Ireland from the Port of Holyhead, and so a bridge crossing to Anglesey island was the last piece in the jigsaw. After much pressure in political circles construction work started on the bridge in 1819. Limestone from nearby Penmon quarry on Anglesey was used to construct the two huge towers that are still a key feature of the bridge today. Originally sixteen wrought iron chain cables supported the bridge across the 175 metre expanse, but these were replaced by steel cables in 1939.
When you consider that a coach journey from London to Holyhead took around 36 hours before 1826, it shows how travel has been transformed since before the bridge was built. Following completion of the Menai Suspension Bridge the journey time was reduced to 27 hours. While a journey by car today from London to Holyhead can take around 6 to 7 hours, showing the benefits of Telford's Menai Straits Bridge, the internal combustion engine and modern motorways.
Arriving on Anglesey witness some beautiful coastal and woodland scenes from this iconic bridge across Menai Straits, and nearby some well signposted coastal paths with fairly easy access. Cast your eyes northwards from the bridge and you will see Menai Bridge harbour with small yachts and motor craft moored nearby. These are strong tidal waters and you may see a yacht passing below the bridge, making its way for Beaumaris and then 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. - 2368
Turn back the history pages and you may see that what is the busy little town of Menai Bridge today, may have been a Roman village, which people reached by crossing in a small ferry across the Menai Straits where the gap between island and mainland is narrowest. To the north are the Lavan sands where Augustinian monks heading for Penmon Priory would struggle across at low tide, heading for Llanfaes, near 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.
When you think how the famous composer George Frederick Handel struggled to reach Dublin from Holyhead in 1742, it shows you how difficult it was travelling between England and Ireland. After getting through the challenging Snowdon Mountain range, there was still the Menai Straits crossing and then the voyage to Dublin itself.
There was already a ship to Ireland from the Port of Holyhead, and so a bridge crossing to Anglesey island was the last piece in the jigsaw. After much pressure in political circles construction work started on the bridge in 1819. Limestone from nearby Penmon quarry on Anglesey was used to construct the two huge towers that are still a key feature of the bridge today. Originally sixteen wrought iron chain cables supported the bridge across the 175 metre expanse, but these were replaced by steel cables in 1939.
When you consider that a coach journey from London to Holyhead took around 36 hours before 1826, it shows how travel has been transformed since before the bridge was built. Following completion of the Menai Suspension Bridge the journey time was reduced to 27 hours. While a journey by car today from London to Holyhead can take around 6 to 7 hours, showing the benefits of Telford's Menai Straits Bridge, the internal combustion engine and modern motorways.
Arriving on Anglesey witness some beautiful coastal and woodland scenes from this iconic bridge across Menai Straits, and nearby some well signposted coastal paths with fairly easy access. Cast your eyes northwards from the bridge and you will see Menai Bridge harbour with small yachts and motor craft moored nearby. These are strong tidal waters and you may see a yacht passing below the bridge, making its way for Beaumaris and then 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. - 2368
About the Author:
The author, David Phillips, pens an essay from beautiful Anglesey, North Wales, and runs a helpful website covering local news and articles about the island. Discover more about Menai Straits Bridge, a remarkable attraction and example of 19th century civil engineering achievement.
posted by Frank Potter at 12:20 AM
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