Conwy Suspension Bridge

File:Telford's Bridge, Conwy.jpg

Conwy Suspension Bridge.

File:Conwy Suspension Bridge from the castle.JPG

The Bridge as seen from Conwy Castle, with the modern road bridge to the left and the rail bridge to the right.

File:Conway Bridge.(Carnarvonshire, North Wales).jpeg

Conway Bridge c.1840. Before the construction of Stephenson's tubular Bridge

Conwy Suspension Bridge, was one of the first road suspension bridges in the world. Located in the medieval town of Conwy in Conwy county borough, North Wales, it is now only passable on foot. The bridge is now in the care of the National Trust. It originally carried the A55 road from Chester to Bangor.

Built by Thomas Telford, the bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the River Conwy next to Conwy Castle, a World Heritage Site. The bridge was completed in 1826 and replaced the ferry at the same point. Telford matched the bridge's supporting towers with the castle's turrets. It is in the same style as one of Telford's other bridges, the Menai Suspension Bridge crossing the Menai Strait. The Conwy bridge runs alongside the wrought iron tubular railway bridge built by Robert Stephenson. Until Stephenson's bridge was built, Telford's bridge was the only crossing of the river, and therefore the only way to get to the ferry that leaves for Ireland.

Built into the rock on which Conwy Castle stands, it is very close to the castle, and narrow at only 2½ metres across. Part of the castle had to be demolished during construction in order for the suspension cables to be anchored into the rock.

The bridge was superseded by a new road bridge built alongside in 1958. As of 1991 the A55 road goes through the Conwy Tunnel instead, bypassing the town entirely. The 1958 bridge remains in use by local traffic.

See also

• List of bridges in Wales

External links

• Conwy Suspension Bridge information at the National Trust