Hello there! Let me tell you about the charming bridge at Llandeilo. It’s a Grade II* listed road bridge that gracefully spans the River Towy in the picturesque town of Llandeilo, nestled in Carmarthenshire, Wales. This bridge is a vital link for the A483 road heading towards Ffairfach.
The story behind this bridge is quite fascinating. The brilliant William Williams, Llandeilo’s very own county bridge surveyor, designed this single-arch wonder. Its construction took place between 1843 and 1848, a project that replaced a previous three-arched bridge. This older structure had itself replaced a mediaeval seven-arch bridge that sadly collapsed back in 1795.
William Williams initially led the project, but the complexities of building on challenging foundations drained the budget entirely, leading to his dismissal. Unfortunately, he passed away before the bridge’s completion. In 1846, Edward Haycock stepped in to finish the job, though the cost had escalated significantly to a staggering £23,000.
The new bridge was a vast improvement over its predecessor, with enough room for a double carriageway. Its single arch impressively stretched 143 feet across the river, rising 35 feet above it, which was quite a feat at the time and made it the third longest single arch bridge in Britain. This height also reduced the road’s gradient towards the town, making it more accessible.
The bridge’s architectural details are a reflection of its craftsmanship. The bridge, arch soffits, parapets, and buttresses are adorned with chisel- or hammer-dressed masonry. The voussoirs of the arch are lengthy and finely finished with ashlar. The bridge is also flanked by substantial stone buttresses at each end of the arch, which extend in both directions to support the lengthy causeways leading to Llandeilo and Ffairfach. It’s not just a bridge; it’s a piece of Llandeilo’s rich history.
- Darkness, Power and Beauty
Horse’s steady gazeStrengthful eyes that dare to meetChallenge accepted Courage is the strength to face… Read more: Darkness, Power and Beauty - The Daffodil’s Song: A Lyrical Tribute to the Wonders of Spring
Daffodil so brightGolden petals, sunshine’s kissHope blooms anew As I wander through the garden, the… Read more: The Daffodil’s Song: A Lyrical Tribute to the Wonders of Spring - Acanthus: A Versatile Plant with a Rich Cultural Heritage
The Graceful Lines of an Acanthus Leaf. Acanthus is a genus of flowering plants native… Read more: Acanthus: A Versatile Plant with a Rich Cultural Heritage
Anthony's Literary Lens 
You must be logged in to post a comment.