This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.

1929: Chainbridge

Berwyn, Llangollen, Wales, United Kingdom - River Dee
Bridgemeister ID:1303 (added 2004-04-09)
Year Completed:1929
Name:Chainbridge
Also Known As:Chain
Location:Berwyn, Llangollen, Wales, United Kingdom
Crossing:River Dee
Coordinates:52.98025 N 3.1946 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Principals:Sir Henry Robertson
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2019)
Main Cables:Chain
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1

Notes:

  • Crosses both River Dee and Llangollen Canal
  • A thorough report on these bridges was published in 2010 by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), Chain Bridge, Llantysilio, Denbighshire. The Pickering bridge (built 1817, according to the report) was contructed with the deck laid on the chains. This bridge was removed in 1870 but appears not to have been replaced until at least 1876. The new bridge, not simply refurbished, was constructed with the deck supported by the chains underneath, but in an "underspanned" fashion with small pillars resting on the chains, supporting a level deck. This bridge was destroyed by flood on Feb. 16, 1928. The report also investigates whether the chains of the current (1929) bridge are the original chains from the 1817 Pickering bridge and concludes there is evidence "supporting the hypothesis that the chains we see on the bridge today are same as those put on the bridge in 1817" and adds "If the present chains are the originals, there is little reason to doubt that they are the oldest suspension bridge chains in the western world."
  • 2015: Underwent major restoration and reopened.

External Links:

Photo by Dave Cooper Photo by Dave Cooper Postcard, collection of Jochem Hollestelle

Find bridges within of this bridge's location (N 52.980250 W 3.194600)

Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.


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