Open Country The Menai Strait
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Sep 11, 2025 John Cole from Menai Heritage shares his enthusiasm for the rich local history surrounding the Menai Strait, focusing on the iconic bridges. He discusses Thomas Telford's engineering marvel, the Menai Suspension Bridge, which is nearing its 200th anniversary, and the reconstruction of the Britannia Bridge after a devastating fire. The podcast also delves into the Strait's challenging tidal dynamics and its vibrant marine ecosystems, alongside insights into the cultural heritage linked to Church Island and its historic church.
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Telford's Unprecedented Engineering
- The Menai Suspension Bridge (1819–1826) was an unprecedented Industrial Revolution engineering feat spanning 417 metres.
- Thomas Telford used new ironwork, masonry and novel calculations to meet a 30m clearance for sailing ships.
Ferries Caused Isolation And Tragedy
- Ferries were dangerous and costly, isolating Anglesey and prompting bridge proposals from the 17th century onwards.
- John Cole recounts a 1797 ferry disaster where 85 people drowned, underscoring the safety imperative.
Naval Needs Shaped The Design
- The government demanded 30m clearance for full‑masted ships, ruling out an arch design and making suspension the practical choice.
- That nautical constraint directly shaped the bridge's radical suspension solution.