Bridge Clerk Sue Threader is to give a free lecture about the lost engineering project of Thomas Telford.
The Scottish engineer is known for being “The Colossus of Roads”, but a little-known fact is that at the same time he was President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, he also spent six years as Bridge Engineer to the Rochester Bridge Trust.
Drawing on original correspondence, reports and plans from the Trust’s archives, the lecture will give an insight into Telford’s personality, the way he conducted his consultancy business, and fill in an important missing period in the published histories of his career.
Sue Threader commented: “Telford is famous for several great structures, such as Menai Suspension Bridge and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, but what many people don’t know is that he was Bridge Engineer to the Trust from 1821 to 1827, when the medieval stone bridge still crossed the River Medway.”
“The talk will shed light on how this internationally renowned engineer was involved with a structure that has had a significant impact on the lives of all who live or work in the area, as well as providing a glimpse of the man himself.”
The talk is a joint event organised by Kent and East Sussex Heritage Engineering Group (KESHEG) and the Rochester Bridge Trust. It will take place on Wednesday, 20th September, in Rochester Guildhall. Refreshments will be offered from 6pm, with the lecture starting promptly at 6.30pm.
To book visit: https://www.ice.org.uk/events/thomas-telford-the-lost-project or contact Sue O’Reilly at sue@maxim-pr.co.uk or call her on 01892 513033.
If you were unable to obtain a ticket to this event you can still find out more about Thomas Telford’s lost project by reading Sue Threader’s article here.