Benji Poulton, a civil engineer from Bangor, believes his ‘iconic’ design for the 3rd Menai Crossing known as ‘Pont Bendigeidfran’ could boost tourism and promote Welsh culture and he is now calling on the Welsh Government to formally consider his alternative proposal.
After visiting an exhibition of the proposed designs for the new bridge over the Menai Strait, Mr Poulton said: “There was nothing special there that could live alongside the other bridges.
“So I went away thinking what could they do to create additional benefit, additional interest with the new bridge.”
The design of the new bridge would feature the giant Bendigeidfran, of the ancient Welsh mythical Mabinogion tales, rising up out of the water to support the bridge.
In the Mabinogion tales, the giant Bendigeidfran (Bran the Blessed) waged war against the king of Ireland, Matholwch. According to the legend, the Irish soldiers retreated over the river Shannon and burnt all the bridges but Bendigeidfran lay over the river so that his soldiers could walk across his body to the other side. He is reputed to have said ‘a fo ben bid bont’ – he who is a leader should be a bridge.
Mr Poulton believes his proposal would enhance the spectacular landscape, as well as bringing traffic benefits, promoting tourism and Welsh culture, and is a more fitting addition to the two exiting world famous bridges. He added: “I did some research and found that there are a lot of additional benefits to creating something a little bit special, a little bit different, it would bring in additional tourism to the area and promote Welsh culture. It is definitely iconic and definitely a world first.”
A video has now been created outlining the plans and a petition has also been launched urging the Welsh Government to consider the proposal.
The preferred option for the 3rd crossing – the so-called ‘purple route’ – was announced by the First Minister Carwyn Jones earlier this month, and would see a new bridge built to the east of the existing Britannia Bridge.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We recently announced the purple option as the preferred route for the third Menai crossing.
“Given the nature and sensitivity of the Menai Strait, further analysis will now be undertaken to develop a suitable form of structure that best fits within the existing landscape.
“All proposals will be considered during this next stage.”
Image copyright Benji Poulton
