‘It’s astonishing how well it has lasted’: Anglesey marks 200th anniversary of beloved bridge

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Bethan McKernan Wales correspondentJanuary 31, 2026 at 03:30 PM

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The Menai Bridge in Anglesey, Wales, celebrated its 200th anniversary on Friday, marking two centuries since its opening on January 30, 1826. Designed by Thomas Telford, it was the first major suspension bridge in the world, revolutionizing transport and communication between Great Britain and Ireland. The bridge facilitated economic growth in the region, exemplified by its role in enabling the delivery of bottled gas to rural Anglesey in the 1930s. Spanning 579 feet, the Menai Bridge overcame the challenge of crossing the dangerous Menai Strait while allowing tall ships to pass. Its innovative construction methods, including the raising of iron cable chains, established techniques still used today.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Treborth 30% Edward I 30% Bangor 40% St Katharine Docks 40% Robert Stephenson 40% London 40% William Day ×250% Calor Gas 50% Ian Evans ×260% Thomas Telford ×480% Anglesey (Ynys Môn) ×280% Menai Bridge ×890%

Keywords

menai bridge 100% suspension bridge 80% engineering 70% thomas telford 70% 200th anniversary 60% anglesey 60% infrastructure 50% civil engineering 50% economic impact 40% bridge construction 40%

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Very Positive

Score: 0.70

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The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

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Menai Bridge

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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menai bridge suspension bridge engineering thomas telford 200th anniversary anglesey infrastructure civil engineering economic impact bridge construction

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