On Thursday 29th January 2026, the 200-year anniversary of Thomas Telford’s iconic Menai Suspension Bridge was marked with the unveiling of a plaque at the base of the structure.
To mark 200 years since the bridge opened on a stormy night on 30th January 1826,
Kerry Evans, Technical Director (Highways Engineering) at Eco-Scope, organised a successful gathering at the Thomas Telford Centre in Menai Bridge, Anglesey. Representatives of Welsh Government and engineering institutions from across the UK gathered to commemorate this landmark, celebrating both its outstanding structural significance and its contribution to the local community.
Photo by Joe Parry
An engineering landmark
The structure is more than just a bridge to many, representing home and respite, as well as the innovation and pioneering approach of landmark engineers such as Thomas Telford. When the bridge opened in 1826, nothing quite like it had been built before. Its expected performance was unknown, except that according to the core principles of physics, it should work – and it did.
Moreover, to locals it represents freedom and independence, allowing them to live on the picturesque island of Anglesey while still being able to travel to the mainland with ease. Today the bridge remains one of the most important historic engineering structures in North Wales and continues to play a vital role in connecting the island to the mainland.
Commemorative coins, made from the steel of the old hangers replaced in 2025.
Photo by Joe Parry
Commemorating 200 years
Celebrations included the sale of commemorative coins made from the steel of the hangers that were replaced in 2025. These are available to purchase from the Menai Bridge Town Council office.
The afternoon concluded with a talk on the structure’s history by William Day, an engineer with decades of experience working on the bridge. More information about the bridge’s history and heritage status can be found via the
Cadw listing for the Menai Suspension Bridge and the
Institution of Civil Engineers overview of the bridge.
Above: The Commemorative MSB 200 Plaque, financed by ICE, CIHT, CILT, IStructE, the MSB 200 Organisation, the Menai Bridge Heritage Trust, and Welsh Government.
Below: Kerry and MP Ken Skates unveil the plaque.
Eco-Scope’s involvement
Eco-Scope is thrilled to have played its part in such a prestigious occasion and looks forward to further involvement in the bridge’s anniversary festival on 8th August 2026. Our team combines ecological expertise with extensive experience supporting major infrastructure and environmental projects across North Wales.
Our consultancy work often supports complex infrastructure developments through services such as
Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA),
protected species surveys, and
Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) supervision.