The Crossing of the Conwy

A history of the crossing of the Conwy from prehistoric times to the end of the twentieth century and its significant role in the social and political history of North Wales. Black-and-white photographs. First published in January 1991.

Review :
The matter of the crossing of the Conwy has always been related to the distinction between the more Anglicised lands in the direction of Chester and the mountainous Welsh heartland. The geological fault which the river represents acts as a line drawn between two worlds. The physical linking of the two ... might appear to blur that boundary, but I think this is partly an illusion. The river remains the symbol of a psychological divide, a passage which has always, in the past, been hard to cross.(Preface to the revised edition) Its first edition launched the day the immersed tube tunnel under the river Conwy was opened, Michael Seniors book is a study not only into the complex planning and construction of the tunnel, but also a brief political, social and economic history of this great river and its estuary, and the vital role it has played in the history of north Wales. As the first immersed tube tunnel in Britain, forming a critical link of Euroroute 22, the tunnel beneath the river is a remarkable piece of engineering. Measuring 1090 metres, it is made up of six reinforced concrete units, over ten metres high, 24 metres wide and weighing 30,000 tonnes. Taking five years in total to be completed and opened to traffic, at its peak some 1200 people were working directly on site as well as over two hundred others either as supervising engineers or working for its consultant engineers. The author sets its construction in the context of the long history of challenges to communication across the Conwy, and the earlier engineering feats of Telfords suspension bridge in 1826, followed by Stephensons railway bridge in 1849. The book sets more modern engineering constructions against the backdrop of a much longer history the river as a barrier to those who wished to cross it from the east, from the Romans, through to the mediaeval English and Norman kings and then on to those travelling on routes through north Wales and on to Ireland. It is an insightful account of a river which has played such a significant role in the history of north Wales, accompanied by some fascinating historical photographs. A good introduction to its subject. Jane MacNamee It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council