Victorian note found hidden inside bridge

A LITTLE piece of Victorian Cardiff history has been discovered at the demolition site of a bridge.

Network Rail contractors are currently in the process of delivering the second phase of upgrade work at Splott Road Bridge.

While preparing the bridge for demolition, the workers found a handwritten note from 1899 inside one of its pillars.

The note, dated June 1, 1899, is believed to read: “This bridge was constructed by Makay and Daniel 1899”, and references several past Cardiff suppliers. Girder work was said to be supplied by Finch and Co, Chepstow, and cast iron work supplied by Globe Foundry, Cardiff.

Programme manager for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, Steve Keighley, said: “We were delighted to find the note inside the bridge.

“We found it during the predemolition work and it really connected us to the history of the Victorian structure.

“It’s incredible that the note has survived. It wasn’t covered or protected by anything, but the writing is still visible even after all these years.

“Pupils from Moorland Primary School have recently buried their own time capsule within the new bridge and it’s fantastic to think that, over 100 years from now, a new generation of engineers will be uncovering their history, looking back to 2018.”

The pupils’ time capsule , which they buried last year, included a fidget spinner, a stamp, Lego, a CD, and pictures and letters from the children.

The existing bridge, which connects Adamsdown to Splott, was opened by then Mayor, Sir Thomas Morel, on August 3, 1899, two months after the recently discovered note was dated.

The bridge has recently been demolished and rebuilt in two halves.

This work has been carried out in order for the bridge to be raised and strengthened.

It forms part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan for Wales, to enable Great Western Railway’s new fleet of Intercity Express Trains to run between London and Cardiff on electricity, improving journeys for passengers.