Royal Albert Bridge.

Royal Albert Bridge.

Photograph taken on the way to a Cornish meeting. The Royal Albert Bridge opened in 1859 by Prince Albert and designed by Brunel - the only railway suspension bridge in the UK.

Designed by Brunel for the Cornwall Railway Company, this bridge consists of two main spans of 455feet resting on three piers situated in the river. The upper tubular arch would tend to flatten and become longer. There is however a second inverted chain arch which under load will tend to “fold up” and become shorter. This combination cancels out any deflection under load; indeed when tested prior to its certification the total deflection was measured at just over one inch. It is the only railway suspension bridge in the UK and with its conventional approach girder sections is over 2,000 feet long and has a clearance above the river of 100 feet.

There is a visitor centre at the Plymouth end - for the 1961 road bridge – which provides a good view of both bridges, but with no access to the river level.

On either side the bridge portals have I. K. BRUNEL ENGINEER 1859. These metal letters were added by the Cornwall Railway in December 1859 after Brunel’s death in September 1859, and the bridge was declared a memorial in honour of Brunel.

Tudor Francis - SW Section