“Spanning the Centuries” a new anthology celebrates a bridge over the border

“Spanning the Centuries” A new anthology celebrating the Bicentenary of the Union Bridge, Berwick-upon-Tweed, the world’s oldest vehicular suspension bridge and longest span in 1820; and its visionary engineer Samuel Brown. Click here to visit The Friends of Union Bridge website

This year marks the bicentennial of the Union bridge, a rather special landmark bridging the border, connecting Scotland with England. Some thought it couldn’t be done, but this bridge was truly groundbreaking and the technological breakthrough literally paved the way for future suspension bridges worldwide.

This year also celebrates the successful fundraising efforts to preserve this amazing heritage of national and international importance.

The story of this remarkable structure, attempts to conserve it, and other spectacular bridges is expertly written and documented in a new anthology called “Spanning the Centuries” arranged, co-authored and edited by Professor Roland Paxton of Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh.

The book contains articles contributed by authors from the UK, USA, Japan and Norway:

• Union Bridge – International engineering aspects •
• Union Bridge – radar revelation of anchorages •
• Union – the Welsh link through Brown Lenox & Co •
• Union Bridge’s proposed £10.5m restoration •
• Brooklyn Bridge, USA – the world’s longest span in 1883 •
• Akashi Straits Bridge, Japan – the world’s longest span today •
• Brown’s influence on Norway’s iconic first suspension bridge •
• Union Bridge’s future contribution to society •
• Union Bridge and its future – a resident’s personal perspective •

Reviews so far include the following:
“A fine scholarly tribute to this remarkable structure…will endure as the study well into the future…
I was also impressed by the range of international contributors” (Prof Sir Tom Devine)

“Spanning the Centuries…puts the Bridge so handsomely in its context, world-wide” (Prof John R Hume)

“The book is an excellent piece of work. Congratulations on a fine accomplishment.” (Dr Henry Petroski, Duke University, USA)

“It is a beautiful book…I see how much effort you have spent in conserving and preserving the Bridge”
(Yukiko Shibuya, Japanese Society of Civil Engineers)

“A wonderful idea and a very worthwhile publication…each article gives insights I had not known of”
(Benjamin Tindall Architects)

The book comprises 80 pages and over 100 illustrations, mostly in colour:

ISBN 978 1 5272 6523 3
£7.50
It is available by post (+£2.00 UK) from:

The Friends of the Union Chain Bridge
Chain Bridge House, Horncliffe, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2XT
(Cheques payable to: The Friends of the Union Chain Bridge or by BACS 20 29 23 – 93654354)
(Trade and overseas enquiries welcomed – unionbridgefriends@gmail.com)

For more information please visit http://www.unionbridgefriends.com

It is physically on sale in the window display at Edinburgh Books in the city’s West Port, image below courtesy of and copyright Edinburgh Books!