Visit the Menai Straits Bridge, Iconic Anglesey Bridge Built by Telford
The iconic Menai Straits Bridge which carries the A5 across to Anglesey was the inspiration of renown civil engineer Thomas Telford, whose 250th year was celebrated in 2008. For its day the engineering challenge facing Telford and his team was significant, and needed a bold and innovative design to reach across what are very tidal waters between island and mainland. If you come to North Wales this Menai Suspension Bridge is a key attraction to experience for all.
A look back in history hints that Menai Bridge, today a bustling town next to the bridge, was a Roman settlement, which was accessed by a small ferry across the Menai Straits, linking the place where island and mainland are closest. Looking north you may see the Lavan sands, west of Bangor, from where monks bound for Penmon Priory would make their way at low tide for Llanfaes on Anglesey, just 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.
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.
Just stop to think how travel has changed enormously since the times before this bridge was built. Prior to 1826 a journey from London to Holyhead would take around 36 hours, and the opening of the Menai Suspension Bridge reduced that to a mere 27 hours. Today you can get from London to Holyhead by road in about 6 hours or so, thanks to a combination of motorway, internal combustion engine and Thomas Telford’s Menai Straits Bridge.
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.
As you stand on the bridge looking south west, see how the strong Menai Straits currents flow towards the dual rail and road Britannia Bridge and on past Caernarfon Castle to the open sea. Off the Anglesey Coastline to the south is a small island, Ynys Gorad Goch, while on the shoreline a Statue of Admiral Nelson stands, and nearby is the former Indefatigable Sailing School. You can indulge your senses in all these experiences from the high vantage point of this enigmatic Menai Straits Bridge.
The author, David Phillips, writes from magical Anglesey, North Wales, and owns a helpful website focusing on local news and articles about the island. Find out more about Menai Straits Bridge, a remarkable attraction and example of 19th century civil engineering achievement.
