The Menai Bridge, a pioneering suspension bridge designed by Thomas Telford, celebrated its bicentenary on 30 January 2026. Despite recent repair issues, admirers believe the structure could last another 200 years with proper maintenance.
Opened in 1826, the bridge was the first major suspension bridge in the world and revolutionised transport between Great Britain and Ireland. It dramatically reduced travel times on the London-Holyhead road, earning Telford the nickname 'the Colossus of Roads'.
Local resident Ian Evans, whose grandfather opened a hardware shop on Anglesey in the 1930s, recalled how the bridge's strengthening allowed his family to order bottled gas from Calor Gas, bringing energy access to rural Anglesey. 'I look at the bridge every day from my living room window,' he said.
Engineer William Day, who worked on major repairs in 1999, praised Telford's precision and foresight. 'The masonry in that bridge is 200 years old, but if you took a sample from it, it could have been laid yesterday,' he said. 'If it's looked after properly, it could be in use for another 200 years.'
However, the bridge has faced safety issues, with the Welsh government announcing further defects and repairs expected to continue until February 2027. Transport Secretary Ken Skates stated that the government's priority is to safeguard the bridge for the future through ongoing maintenance and strengthening.
Bicentenary celebrations included a plaque unveiling and a day of history talks hosted by Bangor University.
