MADAM,

On behalf of Chepstow Town Council, I would like to sincerely thank everyone that planned, organised and financially contributed, to the successful Chepstow Bridge Bicentenary celebrations this last weekend.

The parade and ceremony replicated to the minute, the original 1816 opening, with a colourful procession from the Beaufort Square to the bridge, followed by speeches, choral singing and a procession of historic vehicles. 

The ancient, Grade I listed cast iron bridge spanning the River Wye, was built by engineer John Urpeth Rastrick and is the world’s largest, iron arch road bridge from the first 50 years of iron and steel construction. Very few five arch road bridges were constructed before 1830 and only Chepstow Bridge survives.

Even though the bridge was surpassed as the main connecting route from Wales to the West Country by the Severn Bridge in 1966, the Chepstow Bridge continues to be a bridge of enormous value to Chepstow, linking us daily with our riparian neighbours in Gloucestershire. Its beauty and splendour are admired around the world and it is right that we should be extremely proud of it.

It was a privilege to have Sir John Armitt, the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, this country’s most eminent engineer, commemorate the event with us and to re-enact the role of John Urpeth Rastrick. He, like Rastrick, has had extensive experience working on major railway projects in this country and he knows all too well, the major contribution that Rastrick made to UK railways and bridge building.

I was particularly pleased to see so many local businesses and organisations take an active part in the parade, all being cheered on by hundreds of local residents lining the route right down to the bridge and right across the river front.

It was a spectacular sight and one which will live in the memory for many years to come.

A special mention must be given to all the Chepstow Town Council staff, ably led by Town Clerk, Caroline Tremeer, for facilitating the event and ensuring its smooth operation.

However, there is one person in particular that deserves the immense gratitude of the entire town, for without his passion, his knowledge, his meticulous planning and attention to detail, the event simply would not have taken place.

John Burrows, retired engineer and member of the bridge’s bi-centenary organising group, was the driving force behind the event. The time and dedication he has invested over the last couple of years has been phenomenal and I know he will not stop until he secures world heritage status for our bridge.

So on behalf of the people of Chepstow, can I thank him sincerely and whole-heartedly for everything he has done.

Councillor Paul Pavia

(Mayor of Chepstow)