PRESERVED MILESTONES MARK ENGINEER'S HISTORIC ROUTE

15 Jul 2003 05:15 PM

The flamboyant trademark symbols of one of Britain’s most pioneering engineers have been preserved for future generations.

The Welsh Assembly Government has undertaken a scheme to restore the 84 milestones that line the route of the A5 from Holyhead to Chirk, which was engineered by Thomas Telford. Missing stones and cast iron plates have been replaced, while the surviving plates have been repainted in their original colour. A considerable amount of historical research was undertaken before restoration took place.

The work is part of the programme to protect the unique character of the A5 London to Holyhead Trunk Road, which survives as a monument to early nineteenth century civil engineering.

A brochure "A5 Holyhead to Chirk Historic Route - Thomas Telford’s Milestones" has been produced for the public giving details of the restoration process.

The rich history of the A5 route was highlighted in March 1998 with the unveiling of brown and white historical route signs and the launch of an informative brochure. This brochure has now been updated to compliment the new milestones brochure and is entitled "A5 Holyhead to Chirk Thomas Telford’s Historic Route". Both brochures will be available through a variety of sources including Tourist Information Centres.

Notes:

In all there were 84 milestones along the route from Holyhead to Chirk – they were erected in 1826 and 1827. The stones are characteristic of the flamboyance of the celebrated engineer. Telford’s work in Wales includes building the Ellesmere canal linking Wrexham with Chester and Shrewsbury including the Pontcystylle aqueduct over the River Dee.

He also built the Menai Suspension Bridge (1819-1826).

Telford was responsible for rebuilding the Shrewsbury to Holyhead road and the North Wales coast road between Conwy and Bangor. During his life he built more than 1,000 miles of road.

A new book looking at the archaeology of the route – "Thomas Telford’s Holyhead Road – the A5 in north Wales" by Jamie Quartermaine, Barrie Trinder and Rick Turner is now available, priced £17.50, through the Council for British Archaeology. Visit www.britarch.ac.uk for further information.

(15 July 2003)