16 January 2009

Caernarfon Castle's New Disabled Access Grand Opening.

(by T Meirion Hughes)

CADW, the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environmental service, began its 25 years anniversary celebrations today, January 16. 2009 with the official opening of a major project which is the new access bridge to Caernarfon Castle.

Hitherto the only access to the main entrance at King’s Gate was via the large stone staircase directly in front of the gate. This proved hazardous to the aged and infirm and inaccessible to many disabled people.

CADW’s Press Release states: “The 24 metre bridge designed by Ramboll Whitbybird Bridges’ Team in collaboration with CADW and fabricated in Wales by L M Engineering of Wrexham will improve access to the historic castle for all to enjoy.

The modern design ramped bridge over Castle Ditch is now the principal entrance to all visitors to the site, bridging the gap between the road Pen Deitsh and King’s Gate. The new bridge follows an elegant ‘S’ shape in plan. The curves not only elongate the route slightly to allow it to rise more gently, but its shape also complements the angular form of the castle walls”

CADW disclosed other particulars regarding the building of the bridge. The main contractor for the works was Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering and local firms engaged to carry out specialist work were: Chester Masonry, Cerrig Ltd. of Pwllheli supplied and laid stone and slate products and D.J.Williams (Brunswick Ironworks) of Caernarfon reworked original and provided new matching metalwork railings.

The official opening at 11.30 am in the form of the cutting of the tape was performed by Alun Ffred Jones, A.M., the Minister for Heritage, who, later at a reception at Cofi Roc, presented 25 year anniversary silver medals to a number of long serving members of CADW staff, having worked for CADW since it was set up in 1984. The Minister was most complimentary of “The futuristic looking bridge” and saw the occasion as a “fitting start” to CADW’s year of celebration.  He hoped also that “the new bridge will go some way to help everyone’s understanding of the castle, the development of the town and its strategic, if sometimes uncomfortable, roll in telling our story as a nation”.

This added facility at the castle, which enjoys over 200,000 visitors yearly has been well received by both able bodied and disabled local people and non locals alike. It is felt that CADW on this occasion has excelled itself and it is expected that many groups of people from far and wide, that until now have not been able to have access to the castle, can enter this historic edifice and amaze at its architectural beauty.

It is only last month that a plaque was unveiled on y Maes to Sir Llewelyn Turner (1803 – 1903) who, as Deputy Constable of the Castle was responsible for a very high grade of renovation work to the building and one cannot help feeling that he would have been very proud of what his successors have achieved today. Well done CADW!

My apologies for not being able to attend today’s ceremony due to an unfortunate domestic accident and I am most grateful to Mr. Huw Howel of the Caernarfon Civic Society for taking photographs on my behalf for Caernarfon Online.

T. MEIRION HUGHES, Resident Historian, Caernarfon Online

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