North Wales to Honour
Engineer Thomas Telford
By EIFION WILLIAMS
Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Telford, the engineer who was responsible for the construction of two of North Wales' most remarkable feats of 19th Century engineering, the Menai and Conwy suspension bridges.
Telford was born in Scotland, acquired most of his engineering skills in England, left some of his most remarkable works in Wales, and boosted the advance of the Industrial Revolution throughout Britain. He also helped build the Gota Canal in Sweden.
North Wales hopes to welcome thousands of tourists from all over the world next year to honour a man who has been recognized internationally for his prodigious achievements in building roads, canals, aqueducts and bridges throughout Britain. The American Society of Civil Engineers recognized Telford's achievements in 2003 by placing a plaque on the two North Wales suspension bridges.
The Menai Bridge Community Heritage Trust, based in Anglesey, plans to open a major centre dedicated to Thomas Telford in the next year. North Wales owes much to Telford, who was also responsible for building the London to Holyhead road and the Pontcysyllte aqueduct, which carries the Ellesmere Canal over the River Dee.
Next year a travelling exhibition depicting Telford's life and work, from humble beginnings as a Scottish shepherd's son to a steady rise from a stone mason to an architect and a famed civil engineer, will be visiting the Menai Bridge area.
The North Wales branch of the Institute of Civil Engineers will also stage a series of ceremonies round the Menai suspension bridge on the actual day of his birthday, August 9.
Today, anyone crossing the iron bridge over the River Conwy at Betws-y-Coed, then following the ascent to Capel Curig and the descent through the Nant Ffrancon Pass towards Bangor, will readily appreciate the engineering skills of the man whom the poet Robert Southey called "The Colossus of Roads."
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