Recently, representatives from Spencer Bridge Engineering (SBE) attended the 200-year anniversary celebrations at the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge in North Wales.
Designed by civil engineer Thomas Telford in 1826, the Menai Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges still carrying traffic and is, to this day, recognised as one of the most ground-breaking feats of engineering of all time.
For the past five years, SBE has worked in partnership with its client, UK Highways A55 Ltd, to deliver complex maintenance and refurbishment works on the Grade I listed structure, which has recently celebrated its bi-centenary.
The company has undertaken a variety of works in this time, including the award-winning replacement of 168 historic hangers, alongside the company’s current Phase 2 underdeck works supported by its in-house designed access system, AeroTruss™.
Alongside delivering key works on the bridge, SBE is committed to acting as a socially responsible contractor in the communities where it works. The project team actively supports local organisations, including Menai Heritage, helping to raise vital funds to preserve the area’s heritage and legacy.
The bridge’s 200-year anniversary celebrations took place across the weekend, bringing together local council representatives, community members and organisations to mark two centuries of one of the UK’s most iconic structures.
Throughout the weekend, visitors were able to enjoy a range of activities, including guided walking tours of the bridge, a vintage rally, stalls, music performances and more.
The event also included speeches from key local figures, including the ICE North Wales chair Ian Davies and the First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Rhun ap Iorwerth, who the SBE team had the opportunity to speak with about the bridge and the works that are currently being delivered.
A careers fair was also held as part of the celebrations, where the SBE team showcased the company’s career pathways and spoke with local young people about opportunities available.
After several years of delivering complex works to help preserve the bridge’s legacy, the anniversary celebrations were a great opportunity for the Spencer Bridge Engineering team to mark a milestone in the history of a structure that has become a significant part of the company’s own story.
Diane Rowe, Customer Relationships Manager at Spencer Group, said:
“It was great to be a part of the Menai Bridge’s 200-year anniversary celebrations. Over the past five years, we have built strong relationships with our client, local organisations and the wider community so it was fantastic to celebrate such an important milestone alongside them. The SBE team are extremely proud to be playing a part in preserving a structure that means so much to the local community and ensuring its legacy can continue for years to come.”