Celebrating Thomas Telford

Press release - 9 August 2007

Shropshire County Council is to celebrate the unveiling of a plaque on Montford Bridge today (Thursday 9 August), to mark Thomas Telford’s contribution to the county’s landscape, 250 years after his birth.

The plaque is to be unveiled by the president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Professor Quentin Leiper, at a special invitation-only event on what would have been Telford’s birthday.

Attending the event will be the county council’s principal bridge engineer and assistant director for transport and highways, both whom continue to look after the legacy of roads and bridges that Telford left behind.

Montford Bridge in Shropshire was the first bridge to be designed and built by Thomas Telford, a man renowned as the father of civil engineering and the first President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Completed in 1792, the bridge spans the River Severn, carrying Telford’s famous London to Holyhead Road, now the old A5.

As well as this bridge, Telford played a part in the building of 42 bridges in Shropshire alone. Many of these were built by others to his specifications.

All of these continue to provide important links within the county.

Also attending the event John Everall, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “It is important that we should remember and celebrate the life and work of this extremely significant man. Appointed as Shropshire’s first surveyor in 1787 he left the county with a legacy to be proud of.

“Montford Bridge is now 215 years old and a recent thorough inspection of it commissioned by the county council found it to be in a good condition. This is not only a tribute Thomas Telford but all who have since played a part in its maintenance.”

Shropshire County Council's Chairman, Brian Gillow, and Speaker, Brian Williams, are also due to attend the event.

Ends

For further information, call John Williams, Principal Bridge Engineer on (01743) 252519.
For media contact, call Laura Owen, Communications Officer, Economy & Environment on (01743) 253318.