Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
17827
Building Number
Grade
I
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
30/05/1996
Date of Amendment
30/05/1996
Name of Property
Waterloo Bridge
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Conwy
Community
Betws-y-Coed
Town
Locality
Betws-y-Coed
Easting
279845
Northing
355727
Street Side
Location
Carrying the A5 at the SE approach to Betws-y-Coed, spanning the Afon Conwy.
Description
Broad Class
Transport
Period
History
Exterior
History: Cast iron road bridge built 1815-16 by Thomas Telford, engineer, as an important part of the new Shrewsbury to Holyhead road (A5), itself a heroic achievement in contemporary engineering and road building terms. The Waterloo Bridge, originally known as Llynnon Bridge, is thought to be the seventh major iron bridge in the world and with a span of over 30m is an impressive example of early iron technology. Its patriotic decorative expression and jingoistic dating inscription reveal a spirit of pioneering confidence and optimism during this important period of Britain's industrial and political growth. The bridge was founded by W. Hazeldine and the construction foreman was W. Stuttle.
Description: Wide single span iron road bridge, with masonry springing. The segmental arch bears the cast lettering: `This arch was constructed in the same year the battle of Waterloo was fought.' The spandrels contain bold foliate decoration, depicting the national emblems, the rose, thistle, shamrock and leek, partly polychromed. At the Betws end (W) appears, in raised lettering:` Thomas Telford Engineer;' at the E end appear the names of the founder and foreman, and the date 1815 to the centre. The arch soffit is reinforced with modern concrete coffering; the simple cast iron balustrades have been cantilevered outwards slightly in recent years.
Listed Grade 1 as a highly important and imaginatively-designed iron road bridge by Thomas Telford, engineer, a significant example of early iron technology.
References: RCAHMW Caernarvonshire, Vol.1., East, 1956, 20(89).
Atlas to the life of Thomas Telford, 1838).
E Hubbard, Clwyd, Buildings of Wales Series, (1986) p.105.
Interior
Reason for designation
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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