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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

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. Landowner permission may be required before taking off.

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Hove Lagoon, Brighton and Hove (By Yezzer)

Great views over the lagoon, Shoreham Harbour, and along the coast into Brighton.

Fantastic at sunrise and sunset, highly recommended.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.82666, -0.199996 • what3words: ///works.melon.critic

Loch Thom, Inverclyde, Kilmacolm, Quarriers, Greenock Upper East/Central (By IanC2002)

This is the beautiful Loch Thom on the Old Largs Road between Largs and Gourock, Inverclyde.

Where I flew from is off the road up a track, perfectly legal in Scotland as we have no Trespass Laws for land like this. This is a great vantage point as it is above the loch.

Although the hills to the left have Orange Significance Warnings, the Loch and Reservoir do not.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.91544, -4.769204 • what3words: ///outdoor.fully.aimlessly

Kinlochard at Loch Ard the Trossachs, Stirlingshire, Highland (By IanC2002)

This is an incidental parking area, when we were there, three cars, ours a WAV Wheelchair accessible vehicle with ramp, plenty of room.

We stopped on the spur of the moment, heading further on to a carpark, but this wee spot had a bench, so was ideal for lunch with my wife where I could get her wheelchair beside the bench.

While there the owners of one of the cars came back with their canoe, had lunch and left, then another family, mum with paddle board and kids with a canoe launched from this spot. That was the ideal time for me to take off and fly around the loch.

What a beautiful spot.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.18806, -4.488382 • what3words: ///curly.picturing.fewer

Low Wood Bay Watersports, South Lakeland (By yorkie9668)

My wife was looking for a spot near the Lake to stop, we found this place, parking for 2 hours is £4, staff were about and never asked what I was doing, I was out of the way by the water, not flying directly over anyone, I am not sure if you need permission but seeing there was no problems with the staff watching me, I don't think it is an issue, it may become one if loads turn up at once, but for the 30 minutes we were there there was no issues :)

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.40809, -2.947987 • what3words: ///tutored.bypasses.finely

Dumfries House, Cumnock Rural (By JoeC)

Dumfries House is an impressive Palladian country house in East Ayrshire. It is owned and maintained by The King's Foundation and sits in a 2000 acre estate which also has impressive gardens and an ornate maze.

Although not in an FRZ at the time, it's always worth checking as temporary restrictions have been known.

Contact the estate for permission to fly from their property (I can't see any good way to get decent images of the house and gardens without this). When I flew there I had to submit a flight plan (with risk assessment) and have £10m public liability insurance.

There is ample parking on the estate, but they've just introduced a £5 fee. If you live locally you can apply for a free annual parking pass.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.45547, -4.307885 • what3words: ///downsize.short.books

Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway & Picnic Park, Lancaster (By Crackerjack)

Cinderbarrow is home to the Lancaster & Morecambe Model Engineering Society (LMMES) who were previously based in Steamtown Carnforth. The land is owned by Lancashire County Council and it's a picnic area as well as the trains, sitting alongside the West Coast mainline. The site is open 24/7 but the train areas are fenced off.

LMMES have a website, https://lmmes.co.uk/, which is down at time of writing but they are active on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LMMES2018. Opening times are SUNDAYS and BANK HOLIDAYS 10.30-12.30 then 1.15 to 3.45 plus Thursdays during the school summer holidays, check their Facebook page before travelling if you want to ride the trains. They accept donations for rides.

On-site parking is free and if full, there's space on parts of the lane that approaches the site.

No drink or food sold on site nor are there toilets but about a mile away on the A6 there's a garage/Spar where I've always found the fuel to be cheaper than elsewhere.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.17614, -2.745829 • what3words: ///mailboxes.wicket.reapply

Stambermill Viaduct, Dudley (By eathen00)

Stambermill Vidauct just outside stourbridge town centre.

I parked on a small carpark just up the road however you can park on the roadside near by. It is a very quiet "park" but its essentially just a field which no one really goes in, perfect for practicing.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.45773, -2.134352 • what3words: ///push.rings.await

Staunton Country Park, Havant (By grandad1950)

A lovely country park with a large lake, walled gardens and fine parkland. A good farm shop sells excellent produce and a good ice cream. You have to pay for parking.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.87637, -0.978365 • what3words: ///rural.risk.contracts

Chantry Chapel and Bridge, Wakefield, Wakefield (By richrab)

The Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin is a chantry chapel in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, and is designated a Grade I Listed building by Historic England. It is located south of the city centre on the medieval Chantry Bridge over the River Calder. It is the only survivor of four chantries in Wakefield and the oldest and most ornate of the surviving bridge chapels in England.

Parking by the Dominos pizza shop, walked to the end of the bridge for TOAL.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.67667, -1.489439 • what3words: ///throw.exist.basis

Brecon Canal Basin Towpath, Powys (By stubbyd)

There is plenty of parking around here so I haven't bothered with a market for that, but be aware most of it is paid for.

I have set my TOAL point as the towpath as that is where I was, but there is a nearby open field which is mostly empty whenever I visit. But depending on time of day and time of year you may need to juggle the precise where.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.94416, -3.387973 • what3words: ///croutons.crucially.press


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