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North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
The mysterious loss of historic road feature that helped change North Wales forever
Still standing proud, if slightly neglected, are 82 stone monoliths along the route of a road that marked the birth of modern North Wales. Thomas Telford's A5 trunk road was a masterpiece of engineering crowned by the the world's first major suspension bridge linking Anglesey and Gwynedd. While the bridge's 200th anniversary will be celebrated in style, if belatedly, next year, the fate of other road elements have faded into genteel obscurity. Among them are its silent sentinels, the stone markers which counted off the 243 miles between London and Holyhead. Less charismatic than bridges, staging inns or tollhouses, they were nevertheless vital components of a modernised transport system that suddenly made the UK a much smaller place. In North Wales, an exhaustive study by a retired college lecturer has confirmed that 82 Telford milestones are still standing today. There's just one problem: there should be 83. The mystery of the missing milestone has taxed the patience of 76-year-old John Price. Having spend six-years researching Telford's North Wales milestones, he's been left frustrated by the absence of one that should be standing in Holyhead, Anglesey. 'This stone can't have just vanished,' he said. 'It weighs over 250lb and measures about 6ft long. These historic markers, placed during Thomas Telford's construction of the London to Holyhead road, are protected by law and serve as tangible reminders of our rich past.' Prior to retirement Mr Price, from Glan Conwy, was chief design engineer at Quinton Hazel Automotive in Mochdre. Before that he was senior lecturer in computing technology at Coleg Menai Bangor. Both specialisms were harnessed in his pursuit of Telford's A5 milestones and others across North Wales. It began when he spotted Milestone No. 45 in Betws-y-Coed, Conwy. Was it the only one left, he wondered. Using old Victorian Ordnance Survey map and cross-referencing known sites with Google Earth and Google Maps, he initially established that most milestones on the region's roads had 'poor survival rates'. There were two exceptions – the A545 Menai Bridge to Beaumaris road, where all five milestones are still present, and Telford's A5 road. As many were hidden behind hedges and shrubbery, some foot slogging was needed to confirm their existence. 'It wasn't difficult to find them,' said Mr Price. 'They're all a mile apart, so once you've found one....' One A5 milestone remained elusive. This was Milestone No. 2, whose inscription read, 'Holyhead 2 Bangor 23'. As its name suggests, it was the second on the route from Holyhead harbour – point zero was midway along the Irish Mail Jetty where mail was once transferred to ships under armed guard. Stepping back one mile from here, Milestone No. 1 can be found on London Road. The next one should be near Penrhos beach, except it isn't. Instead the space is occupied by the giant footprint created by Rio Tinto's Anglesey Aluminium plant, built around 1970. 'Its location, estimated from the 1888-1913 OS map, places it where the buildings were erected,' said Mr Price. 'The last person to have seen it may have been a JCB driver. "Yet it's is highly unlikely the stone was simply discarded - someone must know what happened to it. Does anyone remember seeing the milestone being moved or removed? 'Perhaps it stills exist somewhere nearby – in storage, on private land or in someone's garden? Do any former Anglesey Aluminium workers, contractors, or former Anglesey Council employees recall what may have happened to the milestone during construction?' Anyone who can help Mr Price complete his quest, and so preserve an important element of the region's heritage, can contact him via email on TelfordMilestones@ A clue to what might have happened can be found in a Denbighshire pub. Mounted on the wall near the entrance is what Mr Price and others suspect is the original cast iron plate from a milestone. A replacement plate has since been fitted to the milestone itself. 'You can see the damage, where the stone was broken to insert a pry bar behind the cast iron plate for removal,' said Mr Price. 'The plates were inset into the stones to make them more difficult to remove. Steel pegs or nails secured the plates, likely driven into lead-sleeved holes.' There's no suggestion, he added, that the pub is aware of the plate's provenance. The A5 milestones were designed by Telford himself and made from limestone quarried from near Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey. This was the same source for some of the stone used for both bridges across the Menai Strait as well as Admiralty Arch on Salt Island, Holyhead. Recognising their historical importance, some years ago the Welsh Government undertook work to preserve the A5 milestones. Hence some cast iron plates displaying place names and distances are not originals – nor indeed are the milestones themselves. Somehow, said Mr Price, Holyhead's Milestone No. 2 was overlooked by the restoration project. 'Maybe Grade 11 listed protection was not in force when the aluminium plant was being constructed?' he sighed. As well as vandalism, Telford's milestones have faced two other less obvious threats. Over the years, some have shrunk in height. Extensive road resurfacing over two centuries has seen the ground rise around them, making them now appear much smaller. An exception is No. 27 at Tal-y-Bont near Bangor, still standing 4.5ft above ground level. Another insidious threat has been the adoption of modern machinery by farmers and highways managers. Years of roadworks, and grass and hedge cutting, has seen many milestones slowly whittled away by accidental contact. Almost too late for protection is a damaged milestone on the A470 by the Waterloo Bridge in Betws-y-Coed. Having been hacked away, and now missing its inscription, it cuts a forlorn figure by the roadside. To prevent further damage, Mr Price suggests two solutions. One involves setting small coloured squares into adjacent kerbs or road gutters – this would clearly indicate the locations of milestones absorbed by shrubbery. The other is more drastic: concreting a square metre or so around vegetation-obscured stones. This should leave advancing hedge-cutter operators in little doubt of their presence. 'Historic milestones are protected by law,' said Mr Price. 'But ways of preventing them from becoming damaged by machinery and roadworks are clearly lacking.' Better preserved are perhaps the least celebrated examples of Telford's A5 ingenuity. Along the route are 300 alcoves – roadside recesses used for storing road repair materials such as stones, gravel and grit. The grit was also available to spread on snow and ice during severe weather - particularly relevant in places like the Nant Ffrancon Pass, where some good examples can be seen. The alcoves are usually 16ft long and are either rectangular or semi-circular. Mr Price said they were sited with typical exactness. 'They were located on the side of the road that gave them maximum sunlight, thus keeping the gravel drier and less likely to get frozen,' he said. Having taken a deep dive into the A5's engineering, infrastructure and logistics, he remains in awe of its achievement and robustness. To document his findings, he's compiled a database of A5 milestones. It was recently published online, an excellent resource for anyone with an interest in local history. You can find it here. In its introduction, he wrote: 'To support the mail service from London to Holyhead, a journey that took 27 hours, teams of four horses were changed at approximately every 12 miles. 'The mail coaches in particular travelled not only by day but also in the dark of night, aided only by oil lamps affixed to the coaches, and in all weathers; nothing could be allowed to delay the mail, which was the basis of all distant communication in those days." He continued: 'The system was so well-organised and efficient that as a mail coach approached a toll gate its post-horn was sounded. Toll-keepers who delayed the mail by failing to open the gate promptly were fined. 'Stagecoach travel was fraught with danger – not only from tragic accidents but also deliberate acts of sabotage, such as tree branches or farm gates placed in the road to trip the horses. Vandalism is not just a modern day occurrence.' As well as mail coaches, passing the milestones would have been horse riders, horse-drawn carriages and scores of people on foot. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Mr Price added: "It is not hard to imagine today, as we pass these mostly highly visible milestones as we travel on the A5, the passengers in the stagecoaches glancing at the milestones as they ticked off the miles on what was said by many to be a very tedious journey."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Menai Bridge repair work won't be complete until August 2026
Repairs to one of the two bridges linking the north Wales mainland to Anglesey will not be complete until August 2026. Maintenance works on the Menai Bridge began in 2023 and were previously delayed from August to December 2025, due to the discovery of defective hangers, which required "urgent replacement". Despite previous hopes for the bridge work to be completed for the bridge's 200th anniversary on 30 January 2026, procurement and licensing issues will see repairs continue into spring. In a statement, the Welsh government described the news as extremely disappointing, but said the bridge requires significant maintenance to ensure it "continues safely for the next 200 years". Safety risks on troubled bridge spotted in 1988 Menai Bridge work won't finish until December 2025 Menai Bridge repairs will be completed by 2026 - MP Serious safety concerns were identified during a technical analysis leading to the closure of the bridge for four months in 2022. Repair work began in September 2023 and has caused delays for people trying to get between the island and the mainland. The first phase of works was completed in October 2024, which enabled the bridge to re-open to all traffic over the winter period. But phase 2 maintenance works, including full repainting and preservation, are now "not likely" to be completed until Spring 2026, with hopes the reopening will coincide the birthday of the bridge's designer, Thomas Telford, in August. Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru Leader and Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn, said he would be raising the matter on the Senedd at "the earliest possible opportunity". In a statement, he described the announcement as "further proof that the Labour Welsh government is not serious about making sure our island infrastructure is fit for the 21st Century". Transport Secretary Ken Skates said: "My officials will be monitoring the work closely, through frequent site visits and regular meetings with the site team, and if there is any scope for the work to be finished earlier, then it will be done. "We were given assurances at the time that the phase two works would be completed by December 2025, and I know this news will be very disappointing for the community and others. "The age of the bridge and the fact it's a critical asset to the area means that it is imperative that works are completed to the highest of standards to ensure it continues to operate for the next 200 years."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Menai Bridge: Delays as repair work to continue until August 2026
Repairs to one of the two bridges linking the north Wales mainland to Anglesey will not be complete until August 2026. Maintenance works on the Menai Bridge began in 2023 and were previously delayed from August to December 2025, due to the discovery of defective hangers, which required "urgent replacement". Despite previous hopes for the bridge work to be completed for the bridge's 200th anniversary on 30 January 2026, procurement and licensing issues will see repairs continue into spring. In a statement, the Welsh government described the news as extremely disappointing, but said the bridge requires significant maintenance to ensure it "continues safely for the next 200 years". Serious safety concerns were identified during a technical analysis leading to the closure of the bridge for four months in work began in September 2023 and has caused delays for people trying to get between the island and the first phase of works was completed in October 2024, which enabled the bridge to re-open to all traffic over the winter period. But phase 2 maintenance works, including full repainting and preservation, are now "not likely" to be completed until Spring 2026, with hopes the reopening will coincide the birthday of the bridge's designer, Thomas Telford, in August. Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru Leader and Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn, said he would be raising the matter on the Senedd at "the earliest possible opportunity". In a statement, he described the announcement as "further proof that the Labour Welsh government is not serious about making sure our island infrastructure is fit for the 21st Century". Transport Secretary Ken Skates said: "My officials will be monitoring the work closely, through frequent site visits and regular meetings with the site team, and if there is any scope for the work to be finished earlier, then it will be done."We were given assurances at the time that the phase two works would be completed by December 2025, and I know this news will be very disappointing for the community and others."The age of the bridge and the fact it's a critical asset to the area means that it is imperative that works are completed to the highest of standards to ensure it continues to operate for the next 200 years."
Wales Online
26-04-2025
- Wales Online
Welsh town full of good pubs and brilliant restaurants is sat on an island you won't want to leave
Welsh town full of good pubs and brilliant restaurants is sat on an island you won't want to leave While some may have considered the likes of Beaumaris or Benllech as the go-to destinations of Anglesey, Porthaethwy has firmly been added on that list Porthaethwy: the first and last town you'll pass when you go to and from Anglesey (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) Menai Bridge, or Porthaethwy as it is known in Welsh, is a place of coming and going. For many, this is their first glimpse of Ynys Mon - Mam Cymru, and also their last, as they travel on the Menai Suspension Bridge. The town's English name derives from the suspension bridge, which was completed nearly 200 years ago by Thomas Telford. When it was completed in 1826, the bridge was celebrated as a triumph of civil engineering. For centuries, the journey between mainland Wales and Ynys Mon was a treacherous one. Ferries traversed the straits at various places. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Article continues below But the currents were tricky, often resulting in numerous boats capsizing or running aground and sadly a loss of life. Over the years, the bridge has become so much more than a safe crossing, but a gateway to discover Anglesey. While some may have considered the likes of Beaumaris or Benllech as the go-to destinations of the island, Porthaethwy itself has firmly been added on that list. There's no better way to explore the town than to take a walk around it. Start your journey by walking over the bridge - if you don't mind heights of course, and make your way down past Anglesey Arms to the path that leads you along the Menai Strait and to the Belgian Promenade. The toll booth on the Bangor side of the Menai Suspension Bridge in 1905 (Image: Pic courtesy of John Cowell ) Remarkably, the promenade was built along the strait to Ynys Tysilio (Church Island) to Carreg yr Halen in 1916 by a group of Belgian refugees that had fled their home in the German-occupied Mechelen (or Malines) in Belgium. They were accommodated in Menai Bridge and as a way of thanking the town for its hospitality, they built this promenade. To this day, this promenade remains as a tangible legacy for that gratitude, and has become a popular place to take a stroll during any season. The Menai Suspension Bridge between Anglesey and Gwynedd was completed in 1826 (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) From here you can see Menai Suspension Bridge and Britannia Bridge, the woodland of Treborth in Bangor and the rolling hills of nearby Llanfairpwll. Take a circular walk around Ynys Tysilio - an island with a church that was constructed in the 15th century and surrounded by gravestones. Our 20th-century bard Cynan, his real name Albert Evans-Jones, is among several notable people that have been buried in this churchyard. Once you've completed your walk around the island, head back on the promenade and then through the woodland area behind Jade Village restaurant where you'll find the town centre. Or alternatively, head back the same way you came and head towards Menai Suspension Bridge. Here you'll find the path that goes underneath the bridge and you'll be able to see its structure in all its glory. Here you'll find the lower part of the town, colourful houses all dotted across the area before reaching Dylan's restaurant - the first one out of the four to be opened in north Wales. This is the perfect restaurant to dine with your family or a group of friends due to its decently priced menu and variety of dishes that will cater for anyone's preference. Dylan's is located right by the strait too, which means you can get a fantastic view of the sea and the beautiful houses of Bangor on the mainland. Dylan's Menai Bridge was the first of the four restaurants that have opened in north Wales (Image: Dylan's Menai Bridge ) Near here you will find RibRide Adventure Boat tours, which offers thrill rides in a super fast rib boat on the Menai Strait. If you are looking for an adrenaline thumping activity, with an interesting history lesson about the area and breathtaking views added in the mix, these tours are the ones for you. But if you are looking for a pint, then there are plenty of pubs in Menai Bridge to choose. Go to The Victoria if you want a good outdoor seating area, Anglesey Arms for delicious food with your drinks, the Liverpool Arms for a scrumptious Sunday roast or the Auckland Arms for that close-knit community feel for locals and visitors alike. While some high streets have struggled over recent years, Porthaethwy's high street has been thriving. Dylan's has a bakery and grocery store here, Awen Menai is the perfect place to purchase a book, toys or gifts for a loved one and there are plenty of independent clothes shop here including Elsa and Butterfly Boutique. Quayside Furniture business, which is located right at the heart of Porthaethwy's high street (Image: Wales Online ) Head over to Evans Bros if you need any tools for DIY, or to Hawthorn Yard or Quayside Furniture if you are looking for truly unique items for your home. And if you are looking for beautiful lamp shades, head to Anglesey Paper Company. On the high street, you will also find the Michelin-starred restaurant Sosban & The Old Butchers, praised by the guide for its "bold flavours and original, personal touches, demonstrating an innate understanding of cooking techniques". As you would imagine, you will have to book a table in this small restaurant months in advance. Elsewhere, you could also try Freckled Angel or Sage - both a favourite amongst the locals, and both offer a variety of dishes. Go to Sage if you fancy an Italian-inspired cuisine, or go to Freckled Angel if you want small plates. Freckled Angel is a popular restaurant to eat a British-style tapas (Image: Facebook / Freckled Angel ) Perhaps a few decades ago the town was merely a place for visitors to check the road signs as they made their way to Beaumaris or Benllech. But now, Porthaethwy has formed a reputation for being the place to be. Article continues below Whether it rains or shines, the town welcomes thousands of people every year to its trendy bars and restaurants, and quaint independent shops, beautiful walks and views. When you get there, it'll be easy to see why.
North Wales Live
21-04-2025
- North Wales Live
Beautiful North Wales river town with old-school steam trains, boat trips and waterside pubs
The charming town of Llangollen fuses industrial grit with a proud Welsh music and culture scene. It sits where the Dee Valley narrows into a dramatic corridor carved through a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The eleven-mile canal route from Gledrid to the Horseshoe Falls threads through this scenic stretch, soaring above the valley on the towering Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering. Llangollen is also well-known as Wales's festival capital. Each summer, it bursts to life with the International Musical Eisteddfod – a bold, joyful celebration of global performance. Here's why you should visit this riverside town. What to do in Llangollen Canals and Aqueducts UNESCO made the eleven-mile canal from Chirk Bank to splendid Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen a World Heritage site in 2009 for its engineering features and historical operation. The popular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is also found here and is a must-visit civil engineering destination as it's one of the more astonishing achievements of the Industrial Revolution. At 38 metres over the Dee Valley, the 'stream in the sky' is also the highest navigable Aqueduct in the world and the oldest in Britain. Designed and built by Thomas Telford and Williams Jessop, this architectural marvel is still in use over 200 years after construction began. It is a seemingly impossible canal spectacle. 18 arched stone pillars support deep cast-iron troughs filled with water, forming a River in the Sky that can be accessed by foot or boat. Each year, the canal and river trust welcomes nearly half a million visitors who arrive in droves to admire and photograph 'the stream in the sky', accessing the canal as walkers, boaters, anglers, cyclists, canoeists or kayakers. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here. Paddle across the aqueduct Explore the waterways by canoe, and you'll find that one minute you'll be leisurely paddling through a pretty tree-lined canal and next, you're 126ft in the air, still sitting in your boat. Book a guided canoe trip with local experts Bearded Men Adventures, to paddle across the sky with the pros and experience the most epic views as you glide across the towering Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. It's a very busy waterway with loads of traditional canal boats filled with day trippers slowly chugging along this scenic stretch, so you'll need to pay close attention and give way to these larger vessels. The first 11 miles of the Llangollen Canal is an outstanding piece of industrial and engineering heritage comprising embankments, tunnels, viaducts and aqueducts, including the historic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and 31 other listed structures. After a few glorious miles of spotting narrow boats, birdlife and cutesy cottages, you'll finally cross the 307-m-long aqueduct just 12 feet (3.7 metres) wide. This one's for the fearless: on one side, there's nothing but a sheer drop and a narrow wall separating you from a 126-foot plunge. But once you start paddling, you'll find yourself gliding high above a stunning Welsh valley, surrounded by lush greenery and jaw-dropping views in every direction. Horse-Drawn Boats Turn back the clock and experience a slow, traditional horse-drawn boat trip from Llangollen's canal wharf towards the Horseshoe Falls, built by Thomas Telford c. 1808 to feed water into the Llangollen Canal. Visitors have been enjoying leisurely trips from Llangollen Wharf for over 100 years. Today, you can still experience this leisurely, 45-minute-long trip aboard modern purpose-built boats with inside and outside seating areas. Step back in time and soak up the slower pace of life as you cruise along one of Britain's most beautiful canals. Sit back, relax, and watch lovely horses do all the hard work, effortlessly pulling your boat through the calm, treelined waters. White Water Rafting With rugged mountain peaks, rocky coastlines and some of the best rivers in the UK to raft on, it's easy to see why North Wales is known as the adventure capital of the UK. Take a guided rafting trip with Bearded Men Adventures down the lengthy River Dee in Llangollen and experience the adrenaline of paddling against the surging rapids, ranging from grades 2 to 4. Locally, these rapid sections are known as Serpent's Tail, Tombstones, and the classic Town Falls and are best navigated by qualified guides as part of an organised adventure activity. Enjoy scenic valley views as you crash through fast-flowing waves, sail through the shallows and plunge into deep pools on a river that shifts between turbulent and tranquil. Llangollen Railway Llangollen Railway is the only standard-gauge heritage railway in North Wales. It takes visitors on a vintage voyage through captivating Welsh scenery. Board a 1950s carriage hauled by a classic steam engine and enjoy a spot of nostalgia as the train follows the river and climbs the curves of a lush, green landscape. The line is a labour of love. For over 45 years, rail enthusiasts have meticulously rebuilt and restored 10 miles of neglected lines and stations between Llangollen and Corwen. The result is a splendid community asset that makes for a unique family day on Wales's heritage rails. Offa's Dyke Path The most dramatic section of the 177-mile Offa's Dyke path passes through the Vale of Llangollen, with shorter sections also available for keen hikers visiting the area. The scenic path passes through eight counties and two of Wales' Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Wye Valley and Clwydian Range). According the Visit Wales, we've got Saxon monarchs to thank for the Offa's Dyke Path. In the 8th century, King Offa of Mercia erected a wide border rampart to separate Wales and England: Offa's Dyke. Much later, in 1971, the path was placed alongside it so that everyone could enjoy the ancient monument and the places it cuts through as it works its way from coast to coast. Alongside its mythical qualities, the path takes in some of Wales' most impressive landscapes and historic castles, loosely following the Welsh and English boundary. Day hikers can attempt the 13-mile-long Llangollen to Llandegla section to see highlights of the Llangollen Canal, Castell Dinas Bran and UNESCO landscapes. Visit curious Plas Newydd At the southern edge of Llangollen is the medieval chocolate box house of Plas Newydd, where the iconic 'Ladies of Llangollen' lived. In 1780, Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Eleanor Butler escaped from their aristocratic families in Ireland. They began a bohemian lifestyle together, away from the rather dull constraints of societal norms, instead choosing to embrace intellectual curiosities. The pair were said to be mildly eccentric and scandalised rural society at the time by dressing in top hats and men's clothing and decorating their abode in gothic chic. Notable visitors to the cosmopolitan residence included Robert Southee, William Wordsworth, and statesmen like the Duke of Wellington. Today, the house and manicured gardens are an unlikely tourist attraction and a quaint museum for visitors. Their grandiose and non-conformist quality sets the tone for the town's free-spirited and accepting nature. Where to eat This picturesque town has plenty of options for hungry visitors. From country pubs and cafes to fancy wine bars, there's something to suit all dining budgets. For waterside dining, The Corn Mill has a huge outdoor terrace overlooking the river and serves a selection of pub classics, including fish and chips, steak and pies. The pretty Wharf Tea Room next to the canal serves homemade cakes, scones and proper cooked breakfasts. For a local speciality, pop into Llangollen Oggie Shop and Fine Foods for Welsh oggies (a Welsh equivalent to the Cornish pasty). Also, try their artisan sausage rolls, scotch eggs, cakes and full dairy Welsh ice cream. Gales Wine Bar and Hotel is a superb place for a tipple or three in its impressive wood-panelled wine bar. They also serve various seasonal dishes featuring fresh local produce and delicacies. For homemade country fare and afternoon tea, head to Cottage Tearooms and Bistro. Located in a natural courtyard under 100m from the iconic landmark of Llangollen Bridge, the whitewashed, rustic tearooms are popular for cream tea in a historic setting. Where to stay Pretty Llangollen has modern and historic hotels, BandBs and even a 16th-century drovers' inn, where you can enjoy a restful night. For a boutique bed and breakfast stay near the River Dee, book the beautifully renovated Riversdale House. Winners of the North Wales Tourism Awards in 2023, this swish Victorian townhouse BandB features large, stylish rooms with views and a continental breakfast delivered to your door in the morning. Further afield lie a range of luxury properties within easy access to the Llangollen valley. The nearby five-star Chester Grosvenor Hotel offers a stylish stay with individually decorated rooms, spa facilities and a Michelin-starred restaurant and hatted doormen. Dating back to 1865, the Chester Grosvenor is a historic and luxuriously appointed hotel with muted tones of ivory, champagne, and gold and a grand column façade. Another opulent stay within reach of Llangollen is the distinctive 18-bedroom Pale Hall, a historic country home under new management, expertly transformed into a luxury destination hotel with fine dining.
