Tongland Bridge

Today's the day …………………………. for a first

This bridge was the first hollow construction bridge with longitudinal internal walls designed by Thomas Telford, the famous engineer.

In 1803, Thomas Telford was commissioned to produce a scheme for a new bridge to improve the main road from Carlisle to Portpatrick in the west.  The rustic stonework and gothic styling was the result of the collaboration between Telford and Alexander Nasmyth, a remowned Scottish landscape painter.

You can see an early engraving of the bridge based on Nasmyth's design plan in extras  ……………………..