Tamar Bridge and Royal Albert Bridge

Things to do · Saltash

About Tamar Bridge and Royal Albert Bridge

Two great bridges cross the Tamar side by side at Saltash, and together they make one of the best engineering views in the south west. The Royal Albert Bridge, Brunel's wrought iron railway bridge, opened in 1859, months before his death; its central pier stands on a 10.6 metre cylinder sunk to bedrock with a 29 metre masonry column above, and it still carries every train into Cornwall. Immediately south of it is the Tamar Bridge, a suspension bridge 335 metres long between two 67 metre concrete towers, designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson and opened to traffic in October 1961, the longest suspension bridge in Britain at the time. Between 1999 and 2001 it was widened by hanging cantilever decks on each side while traffic kept flowing, the first time a suspension bridge had been strengthened and widened this way. The southern cantilever lane is a free walkway and cycleway, and crossing on foot gives close views of Brunel's trusses and of the river down towards Plymouth. Tolls are charged on vehicles eastbound only, and the bridge is run jointly by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council. There is no public access onto the railway bridge. The crossing takes about ten minutes on foot. It suits railway and engineering enthusiasts, photographers and walkers linking Saltash with Devon.

Good to know

• Royal Albert Bridge by Isambard Kingdom Brunel opened in 1859 and still carries the main railway line
• Tamar Bridge opened October 1961, 335 metre main span, 67 metre concrete towers, designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson
• Widened 1999 to 2001 with cantilever decks while remaining open to traffic
• Pedestrians and cyclists cross the Tamar Bridge free on the southern cantilever lane
• Vehicle tolls charged eastbound only; operated jointly by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council

Official site: Brunel's Brunel's Tamar Bridge & Royal Albert Bridge website.