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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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Kylesku Bridge, Lairg (By AlbionDrones)

The iconic Kylesku Bridge on the NC500, remote and isolated, but so worth the effort to visit.

There is a free car park at either side of the bridge, allowing a safe place to stop, soak up the view and a good TOAL spot with great VLOS - although you are on the edge of EGR610 RAF Operational Low Flying Zone, so do check out the RAF Low Fly timetable - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/operational-low-flying-training-timetable - before flying, and if in doubt ring the RAF Low Flying hotline - 01489443100

The bridge itself is an imposing concrete edifice, but the scenery is what makes the location amazing, the rapid tidal flow beneath the bridge, and the contrast between the brutal concrete and the mist-softened mountains is something quite amazing to see.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 58.25714, -5.023692 • what3words: ///senders.proceeds.calculate

Cudworth Manor, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

Cudworth Manor is a moated privately owned historic manor house in Newdigate Surrey.

Not a lot of space to park

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.16286, -0.268934 • what3words: ///wisely.shrimp.tender

Capel Village Green, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

A quiet village green in Capel Surrey. Nice pond and a good spot to chill out

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.15038, -0.3216 • what3words: ///area.rooms.march

Pevensey Castle, Wealden (By grandad1950)

Dating from AD 290 it was the largest Roman Saxon fortresses in England.

TOAL restricted on the English Heritage site so best done from the car park.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.81924, 0.333981 • what3words: ///tulip.called.glance

The Museum of Making, Derby (By D0c.Col)

The Museum of Making is located right next to the river Derwent and the banks along the river have been landscaped to take in the fabulous bridges, weir and old and new buildings as part of a regeneration of the area into an enjoyable parkland.

Celebrating the area’s rich history of innovation, the Museum of Making in the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site is a contemporary space telling Derby’s 300-year history of making to inspire new creativity on what is widely regarded as the site of the world’s first factory.

There are loads of places to TOAL, but parking in a city is not easy or free. I visited twice and was able to park behind the Derby Cathedral for an hour that cost £1.40.

It is in a yellow warning zone but not a problem for a <250g drone. There is also the sub station adjacent to the Museum that could give electrical interference but I kept away from it and had no issues with my signal that 100% in the 13 minutes or so I was there.

It's in a city so there is never an issue with food etc, but the museum is free to enter and they have toilets and a cafe.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.92582, -1.475692 • what3words: ///hurt.vent.those

Ifield Mill Pond, Crawley (By grandad1950)

A lovely spot to fly and relax on the edge of Crawley. Quite a lot of wildlife and a really good walkway over the ponds.

Quite close to Gatwick FRZ so take care when flying

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.10934, -0.224281 • what3words: ///holly.winner.steps

Newdigate Clay Pits, Mole Valley (By dandf19)

Newdigate Village, Mole Valley, Surrey. Charming Surrey village inclding St Peter's Church and The Six Bells Inn. The Claypits are located to the west of The Brocus, a recreational green including a cricket club and Bowls club.Parking at The Brocus seemed difficult as the Cricket Club car park was closed. Enterance to The Brocus is via the bus stop - on foot. A public footpath runs between the cricket pavillion and the bolwing nets, turn left and follow the footpath for a while. Quiet and peaceful location, I saw no one in my 30 minutes there on the footpath. I parked at the church and walked down the main street to the TOAL site, about 20 minutes. . Parking on the main street is possible but it is qute a narrow road with a school. The area is also forms part of The Surrey Cycleway so expect to come across single and groups of cyclists in the area.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.16895, -0.299124 • what3words: ///sting.ideal.flag

Beeston Weir and Canal, Broxtowe (By 360_FPV)

Easy Parking
A few power cables to keep an eye on
Weir and Canal
Football goals and raised buildings to fly under
Great scenery

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.91346, -1.200753 • what3words: ///unfair.think.mental

Egerton Dock, Wirral (By Bradders101)

Dockland venue with an interesting bridge. Lots of new development ongoing. Ship wreck situated in top half of dock.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.40165, -3.022367 • what3words: ///forces.star.volume

Wymondham windmill, Melton (By bryand)

Six-sail windmills are rare. Wymondham's would be, if it had the sails fitted. It's readily accessible in an artisan centre. I spoke with Sarah in the cafe, who was happy for me to fly the windmill, but suggested that flying late afternoon would be best, with fewer visitors present. Hence the long shadows.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.76422, -0.740941 • what3words: ///yard.parkway.laminate


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