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Cleddau Bridge added to Bridges in Wales by clinkadink on 29/09/2023

Parking & TOAL: 51.701730, -4.931898

About 100 m from my folks house, where I where brought up. I used to jump into the cage under the bridge with my mates in the late 70's, and run the full length of the bridge and back - wicked.

That said - this bridge, whilst not anything like the Severn or Humber, has a lot of history - and not all good.

On June 2, 1970, disaster struck the small village of Pembroke Ferry, when a 150 tonne section of the part-built Cleddau Bridge collapsed, killing four men and injuring another 5 people.

At 2.16pm BST, as a section of the bridge was lowered onto the supporting structure below, villagers reported hearing a groaning sound followed by an engulfing cloud of red dust.

The first officer on the scene was dad of two, PC Phil Lloyd, having just clocked into his shift at Pembroke Dock Station when the fire siren sounded.

Recalling the day, Phil, 74 said “I presumed it was just another chimney fire.”

Then at 2.20pm Phil received a call from his mother in law, she lived 30 metres below the bridge.

“When I went into the switchboard the fella said ‘your mother-in-law is on the phone’.”

“She shouted, ‘the bridge has come down!’ and i said ‘don’t be so dull’.”

PC Lloyd’s mother-in-law, Ivy Lewis, lived directly under the bridge, in Pembroke Ferry, on the south side of the river.

With the oil refineries, Milford Haven Port, all being developed in the county, the bridge was a much needed asset, which would give better accessibility and cut down the 20-mile round trip for vehicles.

Arriving at the scene, Phil described it as “utter pandemonium”.

At the time of the collapse, the local gas man was attending Mrs Lewis’ property. She originally assumed that he “had blown the house up”.

It was only when stepping into her garden could she fathom the true cause of the commotion. The whole section of the bridge was resting at a 45-degree angle in her garden.

Astonishly the bridge narrowly missed the below properties. Although it had completely demolished Phil’s aunties coal shed and outdoor toilet.

“Luckily there was a gap between her house and her sister’s house which is where the bridge came down.” Phil said.

“One man had been killed at the scene and two others were taken to hospital but died later. Then when the bridge was lifted, we found another man underneath.”

Construction of the box-section bridge was put on halt immediately.

Within 18 month’s bridges in Germany and Australia, both of the same ill-fated design collapsed with fatal consequences.

The cause of the collapse was later revealed that the diaphragm above the pier of the bridge had not been thick enough and buckled as the 230-foot section was cantilevered out.

Following an inquiry, a number of safety recommendations were made, which included the addition of 500ft of extra steel to strengthen the bridge.

In 1995, on the 25th anniversary of the disaster a memorial plaque to the four men who died, William Baxendale, George Hamilton, James Thompson and local man Evan Phillips.was unveiled.

Unfortunately the plaque was later stolen and has not yet been replaced.

The completed Cleddau Bridge reopened in 1975, making it the largest unsupported span in Europe although costs had escalated to £12m upon completion.

The disaster which shook the small village, laid the foundations for which a new standard was developed in the box girder bridge design.

The Cleddau collapse was regarded as the last major bridge disaster in the UK.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleddau_Bridge

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location in more detail on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.70626, -4.933596 • what3words: ///flaking.chaos.rewarded

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 07/09/2023. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location.

Where to fly your drone


Black Nore Lighthouse, North Somerset (By Nairners)

This is an old lighthouse off the coast of Portishead. Great spot to test out orbits etc... loads of room and there is ample residential parking just next door. (I suggest parking on Pinecroft road).

In front of the lighthouse is a large (approx 10x10 feet) concrete pad which is great for TOAL as the area around is quite rocky and not suitable to rest a drone on.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.4847, -2.800626 • what3words: ///spud.luring.fixed

Singleton Lake, Ashford (By grandad1950)

Singleton Lake is a man made lake and forms part of the Ashford Green Corridor.

Very popular for bird watching and fishing.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

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Co-ordinates: 51.14307, 0.844713 • what3words: ///edits.awake.twin

Pontsarn Viaduct, Merthyr Tydfil (By gasbag43)

The Pontsarn Viaduct was built in the 1860’s to carry the Brecon and Merthyr Railway over the river was designed and built by Savin and Ward and their engineer Alexander Sunderland (as was the Cefn viaduct).

It has 7 spans and is an historic listed structure. It is situated in an area of natural beauty, with “the Blue Pool” and waterfall nearby.

Its located in a quiet little valley easily accessible on foot from the road above.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.77967, -3.385237 • what3words: ///stones.points.spit

Victoria Park, Kent (By grandad1950)

A large multi use park close to the centre of Ashford in Kent.

Very modern kids play area, a lake and lots of room to fly.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.14437, 0.861856 • what3words: ///head.fines.adopt

Ansty Cricket Ground, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

This was previously uploaded as Bolney Cricket Ground and this corrects my error.

A fine community centre in Ansty Village linked to two fine cricket pitches.

Lots of room to fly when there are no matches being played

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.99537, -0.161711 • what3words: ///forces.spout.mount

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, Dunfermline Central (By ParmoPaul)

Dunfermline Abbey is the burial place for a number of Scottish kings and queens, the most famous is Robert The Bruce. The palace is also the birthplace of Charles the 1st who helped cause the English Civil War.

Historic Scotland manage the Abbey and Palace and do not allow TOAL from their land. However there is plenty of space around the buildings which is not HS managed.

Paid parking is available outside the Abbey or in the City car park. Free on street parking is available but several streets away.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.06991, -3.463555 • what3words: ///begins.stick.wallet

Lilleshall Abbey, Telford and Wrekin (By D0c.Col)

LILLESHALL ABBEY A LOVELY FREE ACCESS ENGLISH HERITAGE SITE IN SHROPSHIRE

Lilleshall Abbey is a ruined medieval monastery located in Shropshire, England. It was founded around 1148 as an Augustinian abbey and was once a wealthy and influential religious house, known for its impressive architecture and peaceful surroundings.
The monks of the Abbey were members of the Augustinian order, a group of canons who followed the Rule of St. Augustine. Unlike some other monastic orders, such as the Benedictines or Cistercians, the Augustinians were more involved in pastoral and community work, often serving as priests in local churches while maintaining a communal monastic life, following a strict daily routine of prayer, study, and labour.
After Lilleshall Abbey was dissolved in 1538, under the orders of Henry VIII, it was stripped of its valuables, and the monastic community was disbanded. Like many other abbeys at the time, its lands and buildings were sold off.
The abbey and its estates had been granted to Sir Richard Leveson, a wealthy landowner and politician but over the following centuries, the abbey buildings fell into ruin. Parts of the structure were repurposed, with stone being taken for local building projects
The Abbey had been involved in the English Civil War in the 17th Century. Although it was already in a state of decline after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the site played a role in the conflict as a Royalist stronghold.
During the war, the Leveson family, who owned the abbey, were strong supporters of King Charles I and used the abbey as a defensive position. In 1645, Parliamentarian forces besieged the abbey, and after a fierce battle, captured and under Cromwell’s orders slighted it. The impact of the Civil War was to contribute to its final abandonment as a residence or defensive site.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, the ruins had become a picturesque landmark, appreciated for their historical and aesthetic value.
Today, the remains of Lilleshall Abbey, including parts of its church, chapter house, and other buildings, stand as a historic site managed by English Heritage. The ruins, with their grand arches and intricate stonework, offer a glimpse into medieval monastic life. The site is open to visitors and is a popular spot for history enthusiasts and photographers, and offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval monastic life.

I visited the Abbey out of season so although it was closed as far as English Heritage is concerned, the site is open and access is available at all times (at least when I've been there). That said, the carpark is closed out of season and as it is accessed from a narrow country road you may have to walk a bit to get there. I managed to park right outside the gate but no more than a few cars can park next to the road safely here.

English Heritage have a no drone policy, but if you choose the right time of day or out of season it is easy to fly around the Abbey and maintain VLOS.

There are no toilet facilities or refreshments to be had at this site so plan ahead for relief and sustenance respectfully!

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.72494, -2.389849 • what3words: ///donation.organisms.bulk

Dockyard Church, Swale (By Stevieg75)

Free parking can be found in bluetown and site is a short walk.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.44301, 0.753591 • what3words: ///tungsten.cutlets.pretty

Central Battery, Swale (By Stevieg75)

Parking can be in Tesco and the location is a short walk.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.44466, 0.752351 • what3words: ///artichoke.village.also

Conningbrook Lakes Country Park, Ashford (By grandad1950)

Just outside Ashford in Kent is Conningbrook lakes Country park.

Great views, lots of space to fly, fishing ,boating and kids playground make it a great place to visit.

A freezing cold morning but there just in time to see the sun rise.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.15422, 0.905479 • what3words: ///atom.valley.recall


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