Caerleon Bridge facts for kids
Caerleon Bridge is an important bridge in Wales. It crosses the River Usk in the historic town of Caerleon. Caerleon is part of the city of Newport, Wales. The bridge helps the B4236 road connect different areas of Caerleon.
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Building the Caerleon Bridge
This special bridge is made from strong stone. It was built a long time ago, between 1806 and 1812. A skilled builder named David Edwards led the project. Before this stone bridge, there was an older wooden bridge. The new stone bridge was built to replace that older, wooden one.
A Busy Crossing Point
For many years, Caerleon Bridge was a very important route. Before 1972, a major road used to run over it. This road connected Newport to Raglan. The bridge and the streets of Caerleon were quite narrow. They carried a lot of traffic as a main road. In 1972, a new, wider road called the A449 opened. This new road helped reduce traffic on the old bridge.
Modern Additions
In 1974, something new was added to the bridge. A special footbridge was built next to it. This footbridge is made of steel and concrete. It gives people a safe place to walk across the river.
Where the Bridge Stands
Caerleon Bridge is the furthest upstream bridge on the River Usk in Newport. This means it's the highest bridge up the river within the city's boundaries. There are twelve bridges in total that cross the River Usk in Newport.
A Piece of History
You can find a cool piece of history on Caerleon Bridge. A special stone from the original Newport Bridge is set into its stonework. This stone has an inscription that tells a story. It says: "This bridge was erected at the expense of the County by David Edwards and his two sons William and Thomas. Completed AD MDCCC." This shows that David Edwards and his sons were very important builders in the area.
