Gwynedd Archaeological
Trust Regional Historic Environment Record
Suspension Bridge, Menai Straits
Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 2185 Trust : Gwynedd Community : Menai Bridge Unitary authority : Ynys Mon NGR : SH5565271450 Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL BRIDGE Status : Listed Building I, Listed Building I
Summary : Thomas Telford had been the Surveyor of Shropshire since 1786, and following the success of his improvements to the Holyhead Road linking London and Dublin, the Holyhead Road Commissioners instructed him in 1817 to design a bridge which would replace the ferry across the Menai Straits.
The building of Menai Bridge began in 1819, and it was finally opened on January 30th 1826. The suspension bridge carries the road 30 metres above sea level and has a central suspension span of roughly 175 metres. This was necessary as the Admiralty insisted that ships must have a clear passage through the Straits, even during construction. The piers are faced with Anglesey marble and the original deck was suspended by four sets of wrought iron chains.
Since this time modifications have been made to the bridge, the first following a storm in 1839, and in 1893, steel troughing on flat bottomed rails replaced the timber deck. The major changes, however, were made in the 20th century, when the bridge was strengthened in order to allow the passage of heavier vehicles. In 1940 two sets of steel chains replaced the earlier iron chains, and the deck was rebuilt in steel. A cantilevered footbridge was also added on either side.
Description : A suspension bridge was built by Thomas Telford in 1819 - 1826 and came into use on January 30th, 1826. (RCAHMW, 1937)
The bridge was built to carry the Holyhead Road over the Menai Strait and was necessary to facilitate the increasing traffic from Ireland. <2>
The design consists of two main piers of coursed rough faced stone and the suspended span is 579ft long and 100ft above high water. <3>
1819-26, Telford, 2 main stone piers, main span 550ft, originally 8 sets of iron chains and girders. Reconstructed 1941. (RCAHMW, Undated)
The suspension bridge across the Menai Strait was built between 1818 and 1825 by Thomas Telford as part of his London to Holyhead road. It has a span of 579 ft between two suspension towers built of Penmon limestone. The bridge was refurbished 1938-40 when all the chains and decking were replaced. (Cadw 1988, 56; Quartermaine et al 2003). (Berks & Davidson, 2007)
Description of the first meeting relating to the construction of the bridge, in 1785 (Skinner, 1802).
Review of Menai Suspension Bridge: The First 200 Years by Bob Daimond. A history which covers the crossings of the Straits through design, building and maintenance. The author is a former Director of Highways for Gwynedd. Reviewer criticism is for the book not being big enough for its illustrations. The reviewer clearly values the publication. (Gwyn 2019)
Events : 40644 : Sewage Works Between the Southern Toll-house, Menai Suspension Bridge, and the Antelope Inn (year : 2004) 40719 : Historic Towns Survey of Gwynedd: Bangor (year : 2007) 45405 : Thomas Telford's Holyhead Road: The A5 in north Wales (year : 2003)
