Britain has several of the most notable suspension bridges in the world, including several former world record holders for the longest, but perhaps few are more spectacular than those built by engineer Thomas Telford in the 19th century.
His crowning achievement was the Menai Bridge to link Anglesey with mainland Wales, a 19th century marvel in a spectacular setting, with which perhaps only Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol bears comparison.
The Menai Bridge was built first, being completed in 1826, nine years before Clifton, which itself was completed a year after Telford’s death. This makes it the oldest road bridge still in use in the world as it carries the A5 over the waters below. While both it and Clifton have stood the test of time, however, the need to keep them in good shape has been an ongoing task.
In the case of the Menai Bridge, significant work is needed now, including corrosion control solutions, with Yorkshire-based Spencer Group being hired to carry it out, the Business Desk reports.
As the bicentenary of the bridge approaches, the firm will carry out a series of maintenance and structural repair tasks on the 417-ft span crossing. The corrosion seen on the underdeck will be tackled by a combination of shotblasting, inspections and repainting along its full length.
Another key element of this will be the replacement of most of the vertical road deck hangars, from which the road deck is suspended from the bridge’s main chains.
Other elements of the project will include strengthening the handrails on the walkways on both sides of the bridge and improving the bridge’s lights through the installation of modern LED illumination. The need for the work was established by inspectors at UK Highways A55.
All the works are due to be completed by the end of this year, which may come as a relief to many local bus users. Arriva Wales has had to alter or cancel a number of services due to closures on the bridge caused by weight restrictions that may remain in place until the work is carried out.
This problem comes from the fact that re-routing services via the Britannia Bridge, the only other crossing to the island, would cause extensive time penalties. However, this problem could have been far worse in the past, because until a road was built above the railway in 1980, the Menai Bridge was the only means by which motor vehicles could cross the straits.
Completed in 1850 and rebuilt after a major fire in 1970, the Britannia Bridge took the main line railway across the strait en route to the port of Holyhead, with its frequent ferry crossings to Ireland. The line across Anglesey famously passes through the station at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the longest place name in Britain.
Now the road runs above the railway, carrying the A55 with it, there is far less pressure on the Menai
Suspension Bridge and any road closures are not calamitous to motorists.
However, the Welsh government has decided that the two 19th century crossings, even supplemented by a late 20th century road, are not enough. For several years, plans have been in the offing for a ‘Third Menai Crossing’, although this is currently the subject of the Roads Review and therefore is now in doubt.