Telford Bridge

Today's the day ..................….. to draw up a plan

This bridge over the River Dee at Tongland was built between 1804 and 1808, to the design of the famous Scottish civil engineer, Thomas Telford.

He was actually called in on a rescue mission after the initial phase of building ended in complete failure.  The foundations were washed away and new contractors had to start again.  Thomas Telford drew up plans involving a new and innovative technique and this resulted in the bridge that stands today.

Its design is remarkable in two ways.  Firstly for its rather grand appearance, its picturesque castellated style being a result of Telford commissioning the landscape artist Alexander Nasmyth  to embellish his basic design.  Secondly, to streamline bridge construction, Telford substituted weight-saving, hollow-ribbing for solid masonry within the structure.  The main span is flanked by three narrow, pointed, flood-relief arches on each side.

And it is testament to its initial design that it is still in use today, more than 200 years later.  It is still doing a good job of carrying the A711 over the River Dee, to its junction with the A762 ...…………………