old bridge old bridge welsh known william edwards bridge originally known new bridge arched single span spans river wales bridge built completed bridge statutory protection scheduled ancient monument grade listed early 18th century known bridge house tiny hamlet took original bridge little known ancient ford stepping stones ran alongside current old bridge river ran low possibly bridge built known new bridge bridge renamed years age commissioned build arch bridge paid sum condition maintain seven years construction bridge bridge constructed arch stone bridge built destroyed heavy storm caused flood years later large debris came river trapped supporting bridge weight force debris ultimately destroyed bridge swept away river second bridge destruction bridge fast flowing decided design radical single arch bridge eliminate possibility debris destroying bridge flooding river second bridge built reports differ actually happened second attempt build bridge contemporary edwards said finished arch centre timber work gave way fell contemporary works known manuscript says single arch finished centre struck flood came carried away clear accounts accurate clear edwards latest attempted build bridge cross ended failure bridge single arch bridge rebuilt actually finished stood period weeks collapsed new bridge balanced forced caused bridge collapse theory arches states weight bridge great little crown stage edwards encouraged forced try extra money provided cover losses earlier attempts fourth bridge final design bridge included cylindrical holes bridge reduced weight pressure crown bridge operation today pedestrians theory arches states bridge bridge failure feet wide steep wagons use chain drag descend crown old bridge surpassed old longest single span bridge great_britain remained longest bridge years bridges europe worldwide span exceeded mark project including failed attempts cost architect total approximately consequently loss reported edwards attempts build bridge left considerable debt reported mason considerably debt greatly discouraged lords windsor estates neighbourhood case willing encourage genius promoted subscription gentry parts subsequent history problem old bridge steep difficult horse new bridge victoria bridge built old bridge paid people arch bridge built overcame problems old bridge bridge opened subject landscape artists including turner scheduled monument depicted local rugby union teams artist commissioned old bridge regeneration programme called initial tests bridge took place august project subsequently officially launched tests successful bridge imagery representations bridge seen local civic including crest community community organisation bases logo bridge incorporates bridge design school shield logo representing south wales valleys section old bridge foreground male voice choir incorporates old bridge choir logo
Old Bridge, Pontypridd