Notes:

• 2007, March: Closed after a hanger snapped in high winds. Repaired and reopened August, 2007.
• 2020, October: Closed for major renovation and conservation project.
• 2023, April: The bridge is reopened.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1826 Menai Strait - Menai Bridge and Bangor vicinity, Wales, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Conservation - Union Chain Bridge - unionchainbridge.org. Site devoted to the 2020-2023 renovation project. This page lists the highlights of the project.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000162

Notes:

• 1904: Major reinforcement and strengthening project.
• 2008, February: Major refurbishment project completed.
• Next to 1904 (footbridge) - Conwy, Wales, United Kingdom.

Annotated Citations:

• "Conway Suspension Bridge." The Engineer, 20 May 1904.
  

  Details regarding the 1904 reinforcement project: "...It was therefore decided to renew all the suspension rods, and pins, and to fix steel cables above the suspension links, to supplement them so that the maximum stress in the links due to any possible travelling load should not exceed 5 tons per square inch. It was also decided to build a stiffening girder coupled to the suspension rod on each side of the bridge, and at the same time to widen the bridge by building a footway 6ft. wide outside the suspenders on the north side of the bridge."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000447

Notes:

• Steel cables added, 1992.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20010131

Notes:

• 1839 (or 1840): Restored. Deck strengthened.
• 1893: Original wood deck replaced with a steel deck.
• 1938-1940: Original wrought-iron chains replaced with steel eyebars, deck strengthened.
• 1999: Deck resurfaced and other improvements to strengthen bridge.
• 2020: Major maintenance project planned to start January, 2021.
• 2022, October: Closed due to serious structural concerns. Expected to reopen January 2023 with a weight restriction.
• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1820 Union - Horncliffe, Berwick-upon-Tweed vicinity, England and Fishwick, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1834 Zaehringen (Grand Pont Suspendu) - Fribourg, Switzerland.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000091

Notes:

• Steel cables added, 2000.
• Replaced 1741 Winch (Wynch) - Middleton-in-Teesdale, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20022362

Notes:

• Was still standing in 1938 when it was bypassed, but was likely demolished some time in 1938.

Notes:

• Reconstructed, 1930. Closed to vehicular traffic, 1984. Closed to all traffic 2002. Underwent extensive refurbishment, 2008.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20021612

Notes:

• 2003-2004: Refurbished.
• 2019, July: Closed following failure of a deck suspender.
• 2020, September: Remained closed, indefinitely, with no firm plan for repairs.
• 2020, December: Fears escalate over catastrophic failure.
• 2022, February: Repairs delayed, not expected to be completed until May 2023.
• 2023, October: New plans announced. The bridge will be fully dismantled and restored.

Annotated Citations:

• "Plans to strengthen Whorlton bridge – but there's no quick fix." Teesdale Mercury, 16 Jan 2021, https://www.teesdalemercury.co.uk/news/plans-to-strengthen-whorlton-bridge-but-theres-no-quick-fix.
  

  Reports plans are being prepared to strengthen the bridge, but the work won't be completed into 2022, followed by a review to determine if the bridge can be reopened to automobiles.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20014864

Annotated Citations:

• Butler, Rory. "Marlow Bridge repairs will take almost a year." BuckinghamshireLive, 1 October 2021, https://www.buckinghamshirelive.com/news/buckinghamshire-news/repairs-mould-covered-marlow-bridge-5994064
  

  "A complete renovation of the road and foot bridge, currently covered in mould and rust, could take up to 40 weeks… The plans outline ‘refurbishment to the bridge, including works to the carriageway, footway, towers, lighting, drainage, parapet posts and timber rails’."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008004

Notes:

• Small iron chain suspension bridge.
• BSI: Reported to have been "almost entirely renewed", 1885. Ruddock also suggests the bridge was originally constructed with just diagonal stays (as other Justice bridges) and the catenary chains were added during the renewal.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 56. Crathie Suspension Bridge (after the flood)
• Structurae - Structure ID 20070665

Notes:

• 1835, 1836, and 1844 all sometimes cited as the year of completion.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20058690

Notes:

• Dredge patent bridge.
• Closed in 2010 due to safety concerns. Scheduled to be largely rebuilt as a replica, starting April 2013 to be completed April 2014. Temporary truss installed through the bridge to permit traffic during the refurbishment. Reopened January 2015.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Bath Bridges: 2. Victoria Bridge
• Structurae - Structure ID 20074523

Notes:

• Damaged by flood, 1876, and 1920. Reconstructed, 1921-1922. "Stranded" by shift in river's course, 1970's and 1980's, sweeping away southern approach spans. Deck removed, 1984.
• Known locally as "Shakin' Briggie" or "Shakkin' Briggie," but also referred to as Morrison Bridge and St. Devenick's Bridge.
• Restoration under consideration, 2005.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 1. The Shakkin' Briggie
• Structurae - Structure ID 20021622

Notes:

• Dredge patent bridge.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20074526

Notes:

• 1853 sometimes cited as the year it opened.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20026278

Notes:

• Relocated to a nearby park (Whin Park) where it carries a miniature railway, 1988. The coordinates listed here are for that later (miniature railway park) location.
• Companion to 1853 Island Bank Road - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20015977

Notes:

• Restored and re-opened, late 1990's.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004764

Notes:

• Also sometimes attributed to Neil "Robinson" and completed 1853. May have originally been a narrow vehicular bridge.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20021611

Notes:

• Replaced 1871 Boatford - Langholm, Borders, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20021603

Notes:

• 1988-1989: Restoration project completed
• 2022, August-September: Bridge closed for repairs. Reopened.
• Similar to 1862 (footbridge) - Greystead, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• National Trust Heritage Records - Suspension Bridge, River Kent, New Sedgwick Gunpowder Works, Low Park Woods, Sizergh

Notes:

• William Craig describes the bridge, "A wood and angle iron deck supported from two pairs of wire cables and rod suspenders. The railings are of light woven wire. Pylons with ornamental heads are of lattice gider construction on concrete bases five miles west of Ballater, Scotland."
• Was already derelict before December 2015 flooding (Storm Frank) that severely damaged several River Dee bridges. Dave Cooper writes in early 2016: "The bridge's southern tower and its base are gone. The river bank has eroded back to within feet of the grade one listed Abergeldie Castle. Seat of Baron Abergeldie."

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 57. Abergeldie Castle Bridge (after the flood)

Notes:

• Refurbished, 1989.
• John Gardner writes that William Bell was the village blacksmith and that the bridge once had an unusual mid-span support pillar. John writes: "It is not known when [the pillar] was dismantled, but the bottom section (you can see the dividing flange in the linked picture) can still be seen in normal water conditions."
• John Gardner later added: "[the bridge] was badly damaged by floods on December 14th 1936. It was reconstructed with the span a little higher, which was when the supporting pillar was removed."

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Staffordshire Bridges: 1. Ferry Bridge, Stapenhill
• Structurae - Structure ID 20024241

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20011371

Notes:

• Closed May 2015 for repairs. Reopened October, 2015.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 19. Polhollick Suspension Bridge
• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 44. Polhollick Bridge (revisited)
• Structurae - Structure ID 20021613

Notes:

• Replaced 2014. One tower remains as a monument to the Harper bridge.

External Links:

• Dorrator | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Towers replaced, at some point. Unclear how much of the present-day (2020) bridge is original.

External Links:

• Feugh Lodge | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• HARPER: 1895. Previously had 1898.

External Links:

• Sellack | Harper Bridges

Notes:

• Restored early 1990s, but has since fallen into disrepair and is closed. Unusual main "cables" appear to be steel rods or some kind of segmented rigid steel members.

Notes:

• Closed, 2011. Sign posted at the bridge in 2011 stated "No pedestrians beyond this point. Footbridge Closed. Imminent Danger of Collapse."
• Most news stories on the bridge's condition state it was closed continuously, due to deteriorating conditions, from 2011 through 2015, but this was not entirely accurate. The bridge was open in August 2014, but restricted to two people at a time (see accompanying photo sets). Closed again, sometime soon after. Contract awarded for refurbishment, April 2015.

Notes:

• Renovated, 1973. Refurbished, 2004.

Notes:

• Rebuilt twice.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Welsh Bridges: 9. Elan Village Suspension Bridge

Notes:

• 1988: Refurbished (HBR)
• 2015, December: Damaged by the River Dee flood caused by Storm Frank. Closed indefinitely. Repairs expected to start in 2020.
• 2020, August 31: Repairs underway, expected to be completed in approximately 16 weeks.
• 2020, December: Storm Frank repairs now expected to be completed in January 2021.
• 2021, January: Completion of repairs delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic "stay at home" recommendations.
• 2021, April 1: Repairs completed, bridge reopened.

External Links:

• Cambus O' May | Harper Bridges
• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 20. Cambus O'May Footbridge
• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 43. Cambus O' May Bridge (revisited)
• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 55. Cambus O'May Bridge (after the flood)
• Structurae - Structure ID 20019638

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20019637

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20002345

Notes:

• Designed primarily to carry water and gas mains, but also carries a wide footpath.
• Closed, July 2008, after reports of falling debris. In December 2008, Severn Trent Water announced plans to refurbish the bridge in 2009. Bridge was reopened February 12, 2010.

External Links:

• Wilford Suspension Bridge - Wikipedia

Notes:

• Coordinates are for the current location of the bridge. It was moved there (from its original location where Romney Road meets the River Kent in Kendal) in the 1990s. A sign at the current (2011) bridge says: "The bridge was erected in 1993 on the initiative of Kendal Civic Society. It incorporates part of the structure of the former Romeny Footbridge erected in 1907..."

Notes:

• 2015: Refurbished and reopened after having been closed for several years.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20030070

Notes:

• Although the current (as of 2021) Dryburgh Abbey bridge is often attributed to 1872, it more closely resembles bridges built starting in the 1890s.
• Replaced 1872 Dryburgh Abbey - Dryburgh and St. Boswells, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• Near Mertoun Estate - Mertoun, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Scottish Bridges: 15. Dryburgh Abbey Footbridge
• Structurae - Structure ID 20016083

Notes:

• Plaques posted at the bridge indicate major refurbishments in 1982 and 2001.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20071786

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Welsh Bridges: 13. Llandeilo Suspension Bridge

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood, rebuilt in 2002.

External Links:

• Reeth Swing Bridge | Swaledale history

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Welsh Bridges: 11. Llanstephan Bridge

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20035271

Notes:

• Replaced 1852 Queens Park - Chester and Handbridge, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Chesterwiki - Suspension Bridge. Interesting details about the bridge.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist - Scottish Bridges: 48. Garbh Allt Shiel Bridge
• Structurae - Structure ID 20021615

Notes:

• Crosses both River Dee and Llangollen Canal
• A thorough report on these bridges was published in 2010 by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), Chain Bridge, Llantysilio, Denbighshire. The Pickering bridge (built 1817, according to the report) was contructed with the deck laid on the chains. This bridge was removed in 1870 but appears not to have been replaced until at least 1876. The new bridge, not simply refurbished, was constructed with the deck supported by the chains underneath, but in an "underspanned" fashion with small pillars resting on the chains, supporting a level deck. This bridge was destroyed by flood on Feb. 16, 1928. The report also investigates whether the chains of the current (1929) bridge are the original chains from the 1817 Pickering bridge and concludes there is evidence "supporting the hypothesis that the chains we see on the bridge today are same as those put on the bridge in 1817" and adds "If the present chains are the originals, there is little reason to doubt that they are the oldest suspension bridge chains in the western world."
• 2015: Underwent major restoration and reopened.

External Links:

• Chainbridge Hotel. The bridge is situated next to the hotel. Their web site notes the original "chain bridge" at this location was built in 1814 by Exuperious Pickering and was refurbished in 1870 and rebuilt in 1929.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20074318

Notes:

• 2021, December: Closed due to deteriorating condition. Repairs expected to start in April 2022.
• 2023, February: Still closed. May be replaced.

Annotated Citations:

• Evans, Hari. "Near century old Snowdonia wobbly bridge that's rotting away and may soon be replaced." North Wales Live, 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/near-century-old-snowdonia-wobbly-26198160.
  

  "The suspension bridge used to be renowned for its wobbly midpoint and was a key shortcut across the River Conwy for locals and tourists. However, structural reviews conducted last year found that virtually the entire bridge would need to be refurbished, with the entire timber deck as well as other parts replaced completely."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20070668

Notes:

• Refurbished, 2001.

Notes:

• 2023, September: The bridge is scheduled to reopen following repairs.

Annotated Citations:

• Cork, Tristan. "Key footbridge connecting South Bristol to city centre to close for months." Bristol Post, 9 Dec. 2021, https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/key-footbridge-connecting-south-bristol-6326291.
  

  Bridge is undergoing some repairs in late December 2021, but is still open. Expected to be closed January-March 2022 for more extensive repairs.

• Woolerton, Betty. "Gaol Ferry Bridge likely to be closed for another three months." Bristol 24/7, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/gaol-ferry-bridge-likely-to-be-closed-for-another-three-months/.
  

  "A discovery of 'paper thin' steel work on Gaol Ferry Bridge has been cited as the reason for the extension of its closure by an unprecedented extra three months… Now, the council’s cabinet member for transport has apologised after contractors Griffiths have found 'the bridge is in a worse condition than we had thought.'"

External Links:

• Date for Gaol Ferry bridge closure in Bristol announced - BBC News. The bridge will be closed for 6-9 months from August 2022 for restoration.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20082369

Notes:

• 2021, January: Experienced severe flooding due to Storm Christoph.
• Replaced 1898 Doveridge - Doveridge, England, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Damaged by flood and subsequently closed, December 2015.
• Replaced with a non-suspension bridge, April 2019.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20035246

Notes:

• Allan Agate writes: "I was the Project Engineer for this footbridge and can therefore confirm it was designed and built by David Rowell Ltd and almost certainly the last suspension bridge they built. It was a hybrid of earlier bridges making use of new bolted hot rolled sections instead of riveted composite tower construction. The date was about 1962/3." I am not sure of the provenance of the 1958 date associated with this bridge and I don't have reason to question Mr. Agate's recollection of the bridge completed a few years later.

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1964 Verrazzano Narrows (Verrazano Narrows) - Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1998 Akashi Kaikyo (明石海峡大橋) - Maiko, Tarumi-ward, Kobe and Matsuho, Awaji Island, Hyogo, Japan.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000290

Notes:

• This is not the popular wire rope crossing at Glen Nevis which is literally three ropes -- two to hold onto and one to walk on. Instead, this listing is a traditional suspension footbridge just north of Glen Nevis.
• Don McGillivray worked on this bridge and sent information about its construction.

  "The Suspension bridge was principally built by five Royal Engineers from 15 Field Support Squadron Royal Engineers in the summer of 1982. They were Sapper Terry Bradley (Metal workworker) Sapper Paul Brookes (Draughtsman), Sapper Ian Duggan (Surveyor), Sapper Taff Green (Draughtsman) Sapper Don McGillivray (Blacksmith).

  "The pier footings and anchorages were excavated by hand as the plant machines were being used on another project at Caol and upriver at the priority bridge opposite the YMCA.The Accrow shuttering and Re-bar was humped and Concrete was pumped across the river over a series of aluminium Mk4 assualt boats. Once the concrete cured, the steel work, provided by Highland Engineering was manhandled across the river using the same boats. The steel uprights and main cable were raised and positioned using a block and tackle from a wooden Gyn. The main cables were anchored on the east bank and were tensioned on the west bank using two tirfor winches. The hangers and stringers were strung out from the west bank in a series like stepping stones until the decking could be positioned.

  "The Bridge took five weeks start to finish the best part of the build was the weather which was hot and as we were constantly dropping tools etc. in the river, you had to jump in after it. We later moved up to finish the two span through deck bridge at the YMCA. This bridge replaced an old narrow bridge that used to be a part of a WW2 Mulberry Harbour section."

Notes:

• One of two footbridges in the Ness Islands near the locations of the two 1853 Ness Islands bridges. This one has towers that are more in the river than the other 1988 bridge.
• Near 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1853 General's Well - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1853 Island Bank Road - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20015976

Notes:

• One of two footbridges in the Ness Islands near the locations of the two 1853 Ness Islands bridges. This one has towers set back from the river.
• Near 1988 (footbridge) - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1853 General's Well - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• See 1853 Island Bank Road - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20015975

Notes:

• Sign at bridge notes it was officially opened March 21, 2003.

Notes:

• Near Victoria (Penny, Aberlour) - Charlestown of Aberlour and Wester Elchies, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Replaced 1897 (footbridge) - Addingham, England, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Sign at bridge reads: "Reconstructed by the Territorial Army in 1975."
• Replaced, likely in 2014.
• Replaced by (footbridge) - Contin vicinity, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Replaced (footbridge) - Contin vicinity, Scotland, United Kingdom. Likely erected in 2014.

Notes:

• Very short footbridge.
• Near Milton - Dunbeath, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Similar to Gott's - Burley and Armley, England, United Kingdom.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Welsh Bridges: 6. Llanilar Suspension Bridge

Notes:

• Crosses the waterway connecting Loch Voil and Loch Lubnaig.
• Damaged by flood and subsequently rebuilt, 2017.

Notes:

• Completed 1920s.

External Links:

• Elvanfoot Suspension Bridge, Elvanfoot | Buildings at Risk Register