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.
Many will ask how Thomas Telford came to build this Menai Straits Bridge, an example of real engineering innovation for its time in the early nineteenth century. After Britain and Ireland moved closer under the Act of Union in 1800, there was pressure for much improved transport links and connecting the mainland to Anglesey was a major consideration.
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.
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.
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.
Standing on the bridge look to the south west and observe the powerful Menai Straits tidal waters sweep towards the road and rail crossing of Britannia Bridge, and then to the open sea after Caernarfon Castle. 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.
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.
Many will ask how Thomas Telford came to build this Menai Straits Bridge, an example of real engineering innovation for its time in the early nineteenth century. After Britain and Ireland moved closer under the Act of Union in 1800, there was pressure for much improved transport links and connecting the mainland to Anglesey was a major consideration.
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.
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.
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.
Standing on the bridge look to the south west and observe the powerful Menai Straits tidal waters sweep towards the road and rail crossing of Britannia Bridge, and then to the open sea after Caernarfon Castle. 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.
About the Author:
The author, David Phillips, pens an essay from magical Anglesey, North Wales, and owns an informative website covering local news and features about the island. Discover more about Menai Straits Bridge, a remarkable attraction and example of 19th century civil engineering achievement.
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