Newport City Bridge

I had an emergency call out and just managed to get home to watch Football Focus and have a late breakfast. My plan was to go to the Open Day of The Newport Ship.

It's a medieval craft from about 1450 that was found preserved in the mud flats of The River Usk in 2002, during building work for the Riverfront Theatre. It is the most complete surviving example of a vessel from that century and is of international importance.

Well, I arrived at the Industrial Unit at Maesglas Industrial Estate, Newport where it is being conserved. There was quite a lot going on but no boat to be seen. It's still in pieces in conservation tanks and even then, they are black! Apparently it will be another 10 years before the boat is reconstructed. The Photo opportunity will have to be put on hold! I don't think the Mary Rose took as long. I remember that being sprayed with wax - and you could see it from behind a glass screen.

Anyway, I went for a drive and took the blip photo from Newport Distributor Bridge, a crossing of the River Usk in the city of Newport, South Wales. It was opened in 2004 as part of the construction/re-generation of the Southern Distributor Road/A48 in Newport.

The bridge is a bow-string arch design, 650 ft (200 m) long. Between the two top chord pillars the west-bound carriageway of the bridge bears a large emblem of the Arms of Newport City Council.

In 2005 the bridge was recognised by The Structural Steel Design Awards. The judges said of the bridge: "The Usk crossing symbolises the best in British bridge engineering. It combines an elegant design, high quality fabrication and innovative construction. Newport has gained not only another much-needed river crossing, but has gained an elegant steel structure in the process!

It is quite striking and a good alternative to conservation tank....