Bridges are crucial pieces of infrastructure that help to keep the arteries of the country running smoothly, and the UK is home to several impressive bridges.
Bridges are crucial pieces of infrastructure that help to keep the arteries of the country running smoothly, and the UK is home to several impressive bridges. Many of these structures are notable for their outstanding engineering and design, such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol that spans the Avon Gorge.
There are several other examples of bridges that not only serve an important purpose, but also help to define the character of a town or city. Examples include the Humber Bridge in Hull, Tower Bridge in London, and the Tyne Bridge between Newcastle and Gateshead. All of these structures are famed for their memorable and iconic design.
Some bridges may be slightly less iconic than these, but they are impressive for their sheer length and ambition as they form a vital part of the country’s transport network, enabling the rapid distribution of goods and materials, taking people to employment, and linking essential services. Here are the five longest bridges in the UK.
Bromford Viaduct, Birmingham
The Bromford Viaduct is 5.6km long and carries the M6 motorway between Castle Bromwich and Gravelly Hill along the River Tame Valley. The bridge has a 3.5 mile long elevated section that carries it above the motorway.
The viaduct took eight years to build, between 1964 and 1972. It may not be very well known outside Birmingham, but it is a source of civic pride to the city.
The Prince of Wales Bridge, River Severn
The Second Severn Crossing, which was officially opened in 1996 and renamed the Prince of Wales Bridge in July 2018, is just over 5.1km long. It was constructed to supplement the original Severn Bridge that was built in 1966. This structure is frequently closed in high winds that can funnel down the Severn Estuary, posing a danger to high-sided vehicles.
The Prince of Wales Bridge, which carries the M4 between south west England and south Wales, is specially designed with wind-reducing barriers, so it is much safer to use in adverse weather conditions.
Tay Bridge, Dundee
The Tay Bridge carries the railway across the Firth of Tay in Scotland between Dundee and Fife, and spans 4.43 kms. It was constructed between 1883 and 1887 to replace a previous structure that collapsed.
The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge
Queen Elizabeth II Bridge is part of the Dartford Crossing over the River Thames, carrying the A282 from Dartford in Kent to Thurrock in Essex. It is 2.87km long and was opened in 1991, at the time enjoying the status of the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
Queensferry Crossing, Edinburgh
The Queensferry Crossing is 2.7km long and spans the Forth River in Scotland, carrying the M90 motorway over the river from South Queensferry, Edinburgh, to North Queensferry, Fife. The bridge opened in 2017, and it is thought to be the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world.
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