Iconic crossing unites north and south of county

THIS WEEK (Mar 25) marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Cleddau Bridge – a key part of Pembrokeshire’s transport network that now carries over 4.4 million vehicles each year.

Spanning the wide and deep Milford Haven estuary, the bridge links the north and south of the county, connecting Neyland and Pembroke Dock. Before its construction, the journey between the two towns was a 28-mile detour by road, or a ferry crossing operated by the former County Council.

At 820 metres long with a main span of 213 metres and standing 37 metres above high water, the Cleddau Bridge remains one of the longest box girder bridges in the world.

The need for a 24-hour fixed crossing emerged during the 1960s, with the growth of the port at Milford Haven and the development of petrochemical facilities in the area. Construction of the Cleddau Bridge, along with the smaller Westfield Pill bridge, began soon afterwards under a £2.1 million contract.

However, the project was marred by tragedy. On June 2, 1970, a 60-metre cantilever section collapsed on the south bank, killing four workers. The disaster prompted a major review of design and safety standards for box girder bridges across the UK.

Despite the setback, the bridge was eventually completed and opened to traffic in 1975. In its first year, around 885,900 vehicles used the crossing. By March 2009, that number had risen to a record 4.6 million.

For 44 years, from opening until March 28, 2019, the bridge operated as a toll crossing, with drivers paying a charge each way. Pembrokeshire County Council successfully negotiated the removal of the tolls, securing a funding agreement with the Welsh Government. Since then, the benefit has been widely felt by local communities and businesses.

Maintenance of the bridge has been the responsibility of Pembrokeshire County Council since April 1996, with a dedicated team of engineers and operatives based at the 24/7 Bridge Office. Staff respond rapidly to weather events, including high winds, and ensure the safe operation of the crossing year-round.

Over the years, major works have included:

Gantry replacement (1993)

Repainting (1994 and 2011)

Pier-top strengthening (2001)

Waterproofing and resurfacing (2003/4)

Replacement of roller bearings with sliding (rocker) bearings (2014)

The bridge’s upkeep currently costs around £3.1 million per year, based on its projected 120-year lifespan. A replacement today would cost over £140 million.

Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “The Cleddau Bridge is a key route in our county’s road network and we are remembering today the hard work, and sadly the lives lost, in the construction of this vital piece of infrastructure.

“Fifty years on from its opening, use of the Cleddau Bridge has not diminished, and its important contribution to the economy of the county cannot be understated.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, added: “For many people in Pembrokeshire, the Cleddau Bridge is just part of the landscape, but there are still many residents who remember the long drive around the Haven before it was built.

“Indeed, I also remember my father taking me on the ferry across from Neyland to Hobbs Point in the sixties – an exciting trip for a young child in those days.

“Within the engineering community, the Cleddau Bridge is well-known for its unique design and for being the longest bridge of this type in the world.”

Partial eclipse will be visible on Saturday morning

WEST WALES is one of the best places in the UK to witness a partial solar eclipse this Saturday (Mar 29), experts have confirmed.

Astronomers at Unistellar, a leading smart telescope company, say that up to 38% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon over Pembrokeshire and the surrounding area. Only the Outer Hebrides (47%) and Northern Ireland (44%) will experience greater coverage.

The eclipse will begin just after 10:00am and is expected to last for several minutes. In Pembrokeshire, 36.7% of the Sun will be obscured, while in London it will be around 30%.

Franck Marchis, astronomer at the SETI Institute and co-founder of Unistellar, said: “While it may not be as dramatic as a total solar eclipse, a partial eclipse is still a breathtaking sight, and there are plenty of safe ways to enjoy the experience.

“If you’re planning to observe the event with a telescope, it’s essential to follow strict solar safety measures by using a filter. Also visible to the naked eye, it is mandatory to use only glasses that comply with safety standards (ISO 12312-2) for an optimal experience. It is advisable to check the condition of the glasses to ensure that there are no cracks or scratches on the lenses.”

Unistellar has developed a solar filter for its smart telescopes, allowing users to safely observe the Sun as the Moon moves across its surface. Their technology automatically tracks the Sun, letting viewers focus on the experience rather than calibrating equipment.

Keen sky-watchers are being encouraged to take photos of the event and share them with the Unistellar community online. Users can tag @Unistellarscope on Instagram or @Unistellar on X (formerly Twitter), or post in the brand’s Facebook group.

The partial eclipse will be visible across the UK, with the following expected timings and obscuration levels:

• Birmingham – 10:05am (34.3%)
• Bristol – 10:03am (33.9%)
• Cardiff – 10:02am (34.7%)
• Glasgow – 10:07am (41.7%)
• Liverpool – 10:05am (37.0%)
• London – 10:07am (30.6%)
• Southampton – 10:04am (31.5%)

The last time a significant partial solar eclipse was visible in the UK was in October 2022. The next total solar eclipse viewable from parts of Europe will occur in 2026.

Unistellar is a global leader in smart telescopes and has previously partnered with NASA and the SETI Institute on citizen science projects. The company received CES Innovation Awards in both 2018 and 2022.

A QUIRKY festival that brought a wave of eccentricity and invention to the streets of Tenby last year is returning in style next weekend.

The Tenby Steampunk Festival, which blends Victorian fantasy with retro-futuristic flair, will take place from March 28 to 30 – and promises to be even bigger and bolder in 2025.

Following the success of its inaugural event, which drew visitors from across the UK and as far afield as Belgium, the festival has gained national recognition. Travel publisher Rough Guides described it as “a fabulous new festival that offers a window into British eccentricity in one of the UK’s best seaside towns.”

This year’s highlights include the chance to enjoy tea with the Time Traveller, inspired by H.G. Wells’ classic The Time Machine, as well as the return of fan favourites like teapot racing and Tea Duelling – a light-hearted but fiercely contested biscuit-dipping duel.

Organised by Tenby’s community engagement officer Anne Draper and a team of dedicated volunteers, the festival is designed to celebrate creativity, costume, and community.

“The reaction last year was amazing,” said Anne. “We had people coming from all over. One person even came from Belgium! We’ve learned a lot and realised that steampunk folk are the entertainment – the streets come alive with them.”

This year’s additions include airship racing from the iconic St Catherine’s Island, which will once again be one of the festival’s most eye-catching venues.

Two spectacular Peacock Parades will take place through the town on both Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm, beginning at the De Valence Pavilion and winding their way through Upper Frog Street, Tudor Square, the Harbour, and Crackwell Street.

The De Valence Pavilion will serve as the heart of the festival, housing a bustling Steampunk Emporium, a community art exhibition, and on-stage antics including Tea Duelling. A screening of Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea will also take place, complete with a specially-written introduction to place it firmly in the steampunk world.

Church House will host live music acts including the ever-popular steampunk performer Madam Misfit, while those seeking something a little darker can take part in Victorian ghost walks, Scary Games and a Paranormal Experiment.

Visitors can also capture their own timeless moment in the Victorian photographic parlour, open throughout the weekend.

For more information, visit Tenby Steampunk Festival on Facebook.