Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, Cornwall, UK

Here is a view of the Royal Albert Bridge spanning the Tamar River between Saltash in Cornwall and Plymouth in Devon – designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, work was started in 1854 and opened by Prince Albert in 1859 – Brunel died later that year and his name was then placed above the portals at either end of the bridge as a memorial.  This is just one small example of Brunel’s fine legacy.

Here we are on the Saltash side of the Tamar, looking roughly north towards the Royal Albert Bridge – the Tamar Bridge (road) is a more modern suspension bridge, immediately behind it.  Having read the Wikipedia page now, I discover that it is possible to walk across this and therefore get pictures of the rail bridge without the road bridge – oh well!  Next time…

I took several photographs – several from below the bridge, but I prefer this one taken from the very end of the platform at Saltash Station – this is part way up a very steep hill from the riverside some 50m below.

While down at the riverside, I did come across a glorious mural commemorating Brunel and his achievement of bridging the Tamar – prior to this bridge, the options were a ferry or a long journey inland to the next bridge, probably at Gunnislake.

Brunel Bicentenary Mural, Saltash

Technical Details:

Royal Albert Bridge – 40mm(XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS); 1/850s@f4.0; ISO200 – handheld – post-processing in Lightroom, SilverFXPro – DSCF91701809107841-Edit

Brunel Mural – 26mm(XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS); 1/500s@f3.2; ISO200 – handheld – post-processing in Lightroom – DSCF91661809107837