Drained ! The Pontcysyllte aqueduct. A ten year event !

[@MartinZero]

Thank you to the Canal & River trust for the invite A link to the crowd funder bit.ly/Ponty_Aqueduct A link to the Canal & River Trust bit.ly/435jbgS A link to an animation showing construction kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKLIdKhsn8lsjZIsi=M3GG9HgQDWfsKwHE

[@AMPProf]

Bet bet it had a few stranz Vid pandy in that muck

[@jackmehoff1840]

Martin must have reached the lofty heights of credibility to be invited to witness a canal service like this, lucky for us

[@MartinZero]

I was one of a lucky few, but was very honoured to be invited.

[@QIKUGAMES-QIKU]

Plug it back up and ride inflatable in it ​@@MartinZero

[@garybrignell1831]

Excellent video Martin . Aquaduct looks so streamlined and modern. Telford was a master Engineer indeed . Lucky man Martin rare privilege indeed to be involved in the maintenance and restoration

[@MartinZero]

Hopefully I can go and see it when its next drained

[@deejayimm]

Thanks to Cruising the cut, I knew this thing existed. I'm an American, jealous of the amazing history of your area. Thanks for sharing.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@NR23derek]

When I was about 14 (1968) I started to ride my bike across this bridge. Thing is, when you're sitting on a bike you're well above the guard rail and that is really terrifying. But worse, about half way across, I ran out of bottle and stopped. I grabbed the handrail, which meant leaning forward and down. I was then stuck, I couldn't get going again and couldn't get off the bike. There was no-one around to help apart from my friend who had gone on ahead of me, so I had to get off, which somehow I did. That was about as close as I've come to being very smelly. I think the spoilsports have now put up no cycling signs, I discovered the Llangollen canal about a year earlier, we were taken there on a school trip, we got off the coach at the Chirk aqueduct. Two tunnels and two aqueducts later and I was totally sold on canals and the industrial revolution. Talk about a way to impress kids!

[@MartinZero]

I might have a go at cycling over 😆

[@countesscable]

What were you thinking???!!! 😱.my stomach was churning at the thought of walking over (no way!!) and then read what you did. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@NR23derek]

@@countesscable I was 14...

[@GenaF]

I looked online as you can actually 😮canoe over it but it says you can't go over standing up on a paddle board. Can you imagine anyone actually considering pootling over, standing up with no rail on one side to protect them?

[@NR23derek]

@@GenaF I can imagine it, yes. I don't want to though :)

[@NickandMildred]

I was over it last year on a narrowboat - great experience …

[@Wayne-R-]

We done the same I was terrified 😂

[@MartinZero]

I want to do that

[@NickandMildred]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@MartinZero If only I’d known you’d have had an invite . On the way back we broke down by the Chirk aqueduct and were there for a week or so , that’s also impressive . If it makes you feel better I also can’t pronounce Pontcysyllte … Thanks for another great video . :-)

[@moonbear1st]

the canal trust guys were very helpful and detailed in answering your questions with out being to officious. i have been across the bridhe in the 90s on a narrow boat with my family and stood on the side of the boat with no railings holding the roof bar. wasnt being clever and wasnt good with heights but the experience was one of those things i just had to have...

[@MartinZero]

I would love to sail over it

[@Almightyrastus]

Hats off to those Canal and River Trust engineers. Being a good engineer from a quantifiable point of view of the quality and efficiency of their work, and the depth of their knowledge is one thing, but equally important is the ability to share and teach (and willingness to do so) that knowledge in a way that is available to different levels of comprehension without coming across as condescending. Also, the ability and willingness to admire and learn from others on the team or those who's work has gone before. I have been an engineer in the lightning protection industry for almost 17 years and this is something that I still strive to do. Properly interesting video.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Yes it was great to gain their insightful knowledge

[@Acapulc941]

Oh my goodness, Martin. A million thanks for showing us all of that. I always wondered how on earth it was built. Leigh, Texas

[@martin4787]

Me too and I lived there for nearly 10 years🙂

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, yes its amazing to learn how it all pieced together

[@bethintexas9678]

Thank you for this wonderful look at the engineering of the time. As an American, I really enjoy seeing all these pieces of local history, since I don't know that I'll ever get a chance to get over there and see them for myself.

[@roytabberer7427]

As always, thank you very much for an interesting vlog about the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. A bit more info that I would like to offer. The Llangollen Canal, which the aqueduct carries, starts at the Horseshoe Falls near Llangollen and eventually joins the Shropshire Union Canal at Hurleston near Nantwich. At Hurleston is a reservoir which the canal feeds which in turn gives Nantwich and the local its drinking water. If you look at the canal when the aqueduct is filled you will see that there is a slight flow on it. Each lock has a small bypass weir for the water to bypass locks when they are not in use. Due to it's width, I have known boat owners, who don't like heights, put the boat onto the aqueduct put it in slow forward and then go inside their boat.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Roy much appreciated

[@tresparivet6348]

Can you imagine bringing back to life the Engineers and the Construction Workers who built this structure and showing them this video after 200 years after it was constructed? Fantastic Post!

[@alanroberts4983]

And ask them to repair the road in Newbridge? They'd be done in 12 months!

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Thanks for showcasing this work Martin, have donated.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Steve, am sure they will appreciate it

[@DeanJuvenal]

I’ve crossed that aqua/ via duct a number of times, starting in the late 1960s. Each time we bow hauled our boat as my vertigo couldn’t take the 126 ft drop nor the ant sized sheep safely grazing next to the river Dee. The first time, in our tiny boat, we navigated as far as the Dee weir.

[@thomasdieckmann5711]

What a great video for a great acqueduct! Martin, very well done, and the intro is a masterpiece!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much Thomas

[@daviespaulaann8913]

Wow what an awesome piece of engineering....great video as ever Martin and gang ., luv you guys ...you made my Sunday so much better ...as still watching from my hospital bed

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, I wish you a speedy recovery 👍

[@GenaF]

I thoroughly enjoyed the video. My parents used to take my sister and I on narrowboat holidays, usually on the Grand Union canal but one year they decided to head to Wales which would have included passing over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and with me being afraid of heights I kicked off BIG TIME. They wouldn't change their minds and neither would I and so they went without me. They obviously enjoyed themselves either because of the scenery or because I wasn't there as afterwards they did the same holiday each year.

[@aniwilliams3370]

You and Canal & Rivers Trust are the dream-team! Fascinating… thank you! 😍

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Ani 😀👍

[@davedear929]

I've seen a number of videos on this subject recently since it's been drained. Yours was the best by far. Thank you Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Dave 👍

[@andrewbocho3896]

I have been across there in the 70s on a narrow boat. Yes, it is a long way down. It was a school organised holiday to Llangolan.

[@metalhad101]

Great to see you also made a videos with somewhat more details than from the cruising the cut guy. Both of you are symphatic

[@carolynfield1177]

Another great video Martin - we've just spent a very enjoyable day exploring the spectacular viaduct and surrounding area - a truly world class site - the remedial works have been completed and we were able to walk across the viaduct and then sail across on a tourist barge -

[@MartinZero]

Hi Carolyn, I might just take that tourist barge myself

[@shirleylynch7529]

Amazing video. What an honour being invited along to witness this aqueduct being maintained like this. Those workmen long ago knew their stuff. They were builders. Thank you Martin. Brilliant scenery and filming.😊

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much Shirley

[@brummiedoug1]

Seeing all the bits and bobs that are in the water in aqueduct are they removed before it’s filled with water again . Thanks for giving us a chance to see what it’s like and long may it stand there it all it’s glory. Brilliant film thank you

[@Twmpa]

Excellent video Martin. If you want a good walk, start at Chirk, where an aqueduct and viaduct stand side by side over the Ceiriog valley, and walk to Llangollen which is about 5 miles and passes through two tunnels on the way. It is a beautiful walk in the summer. Also, if you haven't already, I suggest you visit Longdon on Tern near Telford where you will find another smaller iron aqueduct, effectively Thomas Telford's prototype for Pontcysllte, crossing the river Tern. Part of the long abandoned Shrewsbury canal.

[@120ingram]

Thanks for a really good video. Your questions and the answers your got were very helpful in understanding this beautiful aqueduct.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@dilwyn1]

Great and informative vid Martin. You are quite right about the little tunnel at the end of the two basins. it was a spur off to the Monsanto chemical works and to make it more quirky it was operated by the LMS ... Imagine that in the heart of the GWR "God wonderful railway" !!

[@MartinZero]

Oh wow thanks for the info 👍

[@Towpathtraveller1693]

excellent went over it in a canal boat in the 80s on a family canal holiday, I will hopefully get to do it again in my own boat. keep up the good work and stay safe

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@danny2me70]

Absolutely fantastic video Martin the history on this bridge is amazing.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Danny

[@speedicusmaximus]

I've sailed across this aqueduct twice; there are back again to Llangollen, a nice place to visit in Wales. And yes, putting along with a drop of 120-odd feet of nothing only inches from you in attention-getting !

[@40swhistleryates60]

ahh..., the wonderful "accie" as it was refered to when I lived near there for some years, but never saw it drained like this.. Formidable engineering . Had many a good walks along the canal there. Brings back lovely memories.. Great video..

[@martin4787]

We called it the Accie when I lived in Trevor.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@varisonik]

Great video! I walked across on the footpath years ago, the view was amazing

[@MrDurandal25]

So amazing to behold. What a fantastic structure, built by a generation of folks who knew how to work with metal and stone......by hand. Truly a marvel.

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

That must have been really hard work constructing and moving those heavy plates at such a height.Well done Martin and team for an excellent video

[@ivanrowland6353]

Great stuff again Martin , Jessop is a legend around here and died in Ripley . I love his Cromford canal which I've walked /swam over the years 😊

[@DebbieBlue-dt1zx]

Martin Martin wow would you believe it I live three miles away and cross a bridge over the river Dee which is ground level about a mile away towards Llangollen almost every day. I’ve been watching your channel almost from the start. My parents lived near Manchester which is how I found your channel so I usually give you an A* for your video so today you get a double A** ( and you presented it better than your mate but don’t tell him that lol😂) thank you again 😍😍Brilliant.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Debbie really appreciate that

[@sputumtube]

This is fascinating. I went over this in 1973 (when I was 13) as part of a canal boat holiday, and even at that young age I was utterly mesmerised by the scale of it. Thanks for posting - yet another awesome video.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, sir

[@garethparr9482]

Fabulous Martin and the gang. Remember watching Fred dibnah taking a sale across in one of his programs. Must be quite an experience!! Can’t help but marvel at things like this how did they do what they did all those years ago. It’s certainly testament to the engineers and navies that we can still use it today!

[@bonetiredtoo]

It is worth looking at the Longdon-on-Tern Aqueduct on the now disused Shrewsbury canal. This ( the aqueduct is standing). This is one of the very first cast iron aqueducts in the world and was designed by Telford and completed in 1796. It was used, very much so, as a testing ground for Telford for his future structures.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks, worth a look 👍

[@philippabaker1078]

What a fabulous piece of engineering. You have made a cracking video Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you 😃

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the informative video this day. Always appreciate to watch them. See you on the next, Martin and crew! 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

[@adriangallon2636]

Came across this by accident. Glad I did. Really interesting. No music. Well done.

[@SheriffofYouTube]

lovely visit thank you

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@havingalook2]

You lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, man. I would have L O V E D to have been able to do and see that. That was exceptionally interesting. Always miss James though when he is absent. Martin - I must declare this is my most favourite video of all time. You lucky lucky man. Cheers

[@wendarampton1888]

I went on a canal boat in 1967/8 across here. It was amazing

[@gavinstirling7088]

Looks like someone dropped a nice camera lens at 18min 12sec! Super interesting video Martin, thank you so much for taking us here!

[@mdf1671]

Walk over this yesterday. Stunning. Well worth the visit 👍

[@JamieR2077]

Incredible video, so many answers I couldn't find anywhere else!

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Wow fantastic video. That via duct is awesome. I was enthralled from beginning to end. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

[@terrylalley]

Been a viewer and fan for a couple of years but the Ellemere Port Boat Museum and the Pontcysyltte have personal commections. My dad opened the boat museum and I used to live in Cefn Mawr and I would jog down over the Dee bridge and back across the canal; bridge and yes, you get giddy looking down. I now live on a canal in Southern France.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Terry

[@b43xoit]

Nivernais?

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

A great video Martin and very interesting to watch. It's not very often that it becomes emptied, but you had the chance to show us how it was constructed, with information from a couple of the maintenance people. Many thanks for putting this one on.

[@MartinBrenner]

Fascinating construction, how cool we can see the details thanks to you and the canal trust!

[@keith800]

Thank you for another wonderful video Martin👍 , they were great men of their day to think they designed and built these projects in the days of quill pens and paper , before the days of computer models and design software now so common .

[@Electobat]

Martin, fantastic video as always fascinating, thought I had explored all of Wales.

[@MartinZero]

Well worth a visit

[@myself248]

So cool! I learned that this existed a few months ago during @gonewiththewynns canal-boat adventure, but this is a view I never thought I'd get to see. Thank you for all the fascinating footage and the interviews to put it in context!

[@colin125gwr]

brilliant video as always I went up and had a look when it was drained too but had to stay behind the fence

[@MartinZero]

Thats a shame, at least you saw part of it

[@colin125gwr]

@@MartinZero I was pleased with the photos I got i have put them on my youtube in my top 10 with in a week 3K +

[@BigD63]

Fantastic, fantastic video. Thanks again Martin. As always your videos are educational and thought provoking. Best regards from Chicago

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@johnstilljohn3181]

What a marvelous opportunity...! I have only ever seen the aqueduct from nearby - it's impressive...!

[@ArcAudios77]

Truly 'Magnificent Engineering'... Great explanation & views, thanks for your work Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed

[@LesMead]

What a great video and so well presented and edited. Thank you.

[@andyhill242]

Nice to hear that the engineers actually respected the workers and appreciated them.

[@mikethomas2138]

Excellent video. It’s an incredible feat of engineering. When you walk over it, look how wide the gap is between the railings. I walked over it years ago when my kids were little and was terrified when I realised my boy was small enough to slip through the gaps.

[@torquesteer2657]

This is great to see, thank you Martin! I visit there a couple of times per year and it’s great to see it being inspected and looked after. Will contribute to the upkeep/fund for sure.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@Jimyjames73]

Very Good - It's a 20 year event I saw in another Video!!! Very good - very interesting - Thanks for sharing 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@davidotto7666]

Hey bud I just want to say your videos are awesome we appreciate the history and everything like that you got some awesome content you keep making content like this like that bridge dude will keep watching your videos all the time thank you again God bless you have a blessed day

[@andrewbocho3896]

As stated, I have passed over this, which was fantastic, however learing about it is en eye opener. Thanks.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Martin, that was really interesting. The Colossus of Roads they call him, the collossus of canals too I think. Amazing that so much of it is still original maybe it gets covered in silt and there is little oxygen to corrode it. Back then this really would have been rocket science everything they did, they did for the first time. Thanks for taking us along. Great video as always. All the best!!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much David

[@peterthornton2396]

Cheers Martin I just love our incredible engineering history. Ant is a good lad 😉

[@Frankfurtdabezzzt]

Another magnificent work of engineering, and video of course. Also 18:13 looks like someone dropped their camera in the canal 😮

[@MartinZero]

Oh yeah, I noticed that 😃

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Superb vlog Martin Thank you so much.

[@MartinZero]

Much appreciated David 👍

[@jetsons101]

A simple design but not simple to build. The Aqueduct is a perfect example of "Do it right the first time." Also calling the Aqueduct a work of art is somewhat of a understatement. Martin did I see spilt Tea on your saucer??? Thanks to Martin and Team for their time, work and posting.....

[@MartinZero]

Thank you. I rarely spill my tea 😁

[@jetsons101]

Don't feel bad, a few days ago I knocked a coffee over on our floor with carpet on it. Hmmm maybe that's why we have a home steam carped cleaner...... lol@@MartinZero

[@johnowen3891]

Martin, you definitely need to have a further visit not only to walk the towpath but also on board a boat. At the Trevor Basin they do run trips over the aqueduct to the winding basin and back again. The views from the towpath and boat are fantastic. In 2022 my partner and myself were there, on a coach trip to Llangollen where we joined the cruiser, a ploughman's lunch was provided by the cruise company. We had a very enjoyable day out. Not far away is the source of the water feeding the canal at the Horseshoe Falls which has a car park on the opposite side of the River Dee at Berwyn just off the B5103. The tour company who we went with was G B Tours based in Birkenhead We have been there on a number of occasions taking friends and visitors to the UK and all off them were blown away with the aqueduct especially on the path underneath to see how it was constructed. Keep them coming young man, stay safe and look forward to your next adventure there.

[@iandavies8061]

Just up the road from where I live! They do similar work occasionally on the Chirk aquaduct about 4 miles to the south. It was built by Telford and his team at the same time, but they used different construction techniques....

[@Drivershell53]

one of your best videos Martin. very enjoyable.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@DeanJuvenal]

Congratulations on a well edited vid. Full of vital info well presented and including the on site professionals.

[@Scotty7268]

I remember shaking with fear as my brother-in-law steered our boat along the aqueduct when we had a holiday on the Llangollen canal.

[@peterfryer9615]

Thanks guys that was an amazing video you were very fortunate to be invited thanks again for sharing it with us 😊😊😊

[@pilpelet100]

That's wonderful. Thanks for posting.

[@hollydelihgt]

so glad you visited here i live up the road from this amazing site

[@MartinZero]

Beautiful place 👌

[@mrsgbee8246]

Your video is awe inspiring. Simplicity is genius they say, a tank on top of stone stilts. Beautiful and fuctional with no need of frills. I hope you get that float across it, more than once. Hitch a lift with your thumb on a busy Summers day.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much 👍

[@Dan23_7]

Absolutely amazing Martin, I was looking at the tank sections thought strips of lead to seal them, apart from the cloth I wasn’t far wrong. Such a feat of engineering this was for the time, but less hassle than a stair of locks, down then up. I loved how all the bolts were squared up with the bottom of the sections, no protruding edges. Fantastic, thank you 👍🏼 🐝

[@MartinZero]

Yeah, when you think of the time it was built, incredible

[@Peter-MH]

You can’t fail to be impressed by this! 👍

[@MartinZero]

Definitely 👍

[@nezbitt1469]

Fantastic piece of engineering thanks for sharing martin & team great video as usual 👍🏻

[@dshack4689]

Great video, and agree that would be daunting to stand atop a canalboat seeing the dropoff. Which brings me to a question - why would the water tank include the area under the walkway? That seems like an awful lot of unnecessary weight and thus engineering of materials if there's never anything floating there - or were canal vessells wider back then?

[@morturn]

Super video Martin, thanks.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@welshpete12]

Thank you for that, a fascinating and informative video . Twenty shillings then , would have the buying power of about £ 100 or $ 80 today . Bread and butter in Welsh is bara menyn , say bar-raa mean . Pontcysyllte, say, pont- sis-ta and just means a Link bridge .

[@richardwakelin843]

What a brilliant video, thank you for sharing

[@KathyKinnaird]

Super interesting thank you very much. I have wondered what this looked like empty. Safe travels

[@douglasthompson296]

Hi Martin and crew, now never mind your vertigo my googlies were pulling up tight and it was only on a tablet screen 😭 in real time i would have to be deep inside a boat cabin to get across that one. I see you got your posh dayglo wellies on 😎 Cheers DougT

[@MartinZero]

My goolies pulled up to 😂

[@thomasswallow6418]

Another excellent video. Thank you Martin!😀

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Thomas

[@Christians-hu1pk]

something you don't see everyday . very impressive and well detailed 👏 👌

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@MarkMunro-y8f]

Thank you Martin and team. That is such wonderfull art work.😅

[@liamofthornhill]

When you consider the accounts of people fainting when they experienced going on a train for the first time, i bet it was an atmosphere when the first barge and horses went over it

[@johnhankinson1929]

great film Martin , you've got to take your hat off to these people , both engineers and navvy's

[@cdd4248]

I really appreciated this video - great lessons in history and engineering for a person (me) not specializing in either! Really interesting, and of course, gorgeous country.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@freddypflugbeil6]

WOW cool stuff thanks Martin Zero. From New York

[@MartinZero]

Hi Freddy, thanks very much for watching, glad you enjoyed 👍

[@romac9516]

Fascinating video Martin, cheers. Kudos to the CRT staff, they always seem so helpful. Pity the gov is strangling their purse strings.

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

We went to Llangollen years ago and you can see that aqueduct from the canal that runs above the town, which obviously is the same one running across the aqueduct. I always said it would be a great trip across it. What a view.

[@MartinZero]

Beautiful area

[@alanlyscars37]

Crushing story, Martin. Keep up your good works!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@shoresyman1]

Another fantastic video Martin keep up the good work 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@MartinZero]

Thank you