The hill rises behind to 32.5m. Incredibly up to 4000 people watched its opening - one of the largest crowds that ever gathered on the island. Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Great Bernera (Scottish Gaelic: Beàrnaraigh Mòr), often known just as Bernera (Scottish Gaelic: Beàrnaraigh), is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. The bridge was, at the time, the first pre-stressed concrete bridge in Europe. Although the village name comes from a geographical feature rather than a steading it is … Governor Lamont Provides Update on Connecticut’s Coronavirus Response Efforts 01/19/2021 We would like to share som Loch Roag and Loch Barraglom lie to the W and E respectively. Historical Weather. Starting at the Great Bernara end of the bridge the un-marked route immediately passes through the standing stones known as Callanish VIII and heads out over rough ground to Tacleit and then on to Vallasay via the single-track road and the stone bridge. Great Bernera lies in Loch Roag. Built in 1953 the bridge also has another claim to fame as it was the first pre-stressed concrete bridge in Europe. From holidays to vacations and many shopping events, crossing the the river has always been a pain. The comhairle has allocated half a million pounds to construct a replacement interim bridge to Great Bernera. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Bernera Bridge [NAT] OS 1:10,000 map, 1974. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here. Great Bernera Community Development Trust (GBCDT) Update on Activities – September 2020 Buyout Bringing ‘The Crofting Lands of Bernera’, the official title of the Island estate, into community ownership was the founding objective of GBCDT, and we have been working for five years to attempt to reach an agreement with the current owner, who claims to be willing to sell to us. Breacleit (or Roulanish; Scottish Gaelic: Breacleit; Old Norse: Breiðiklettr) is the central village on Great Bernera in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.Breaclete is within the parish of Uig. Almost 70 years ago, the construction of the fixed link to Great Bernera from Lewis was a major breakthrough for civil engineering in the UK – it was the first example of a bridge made of pre-stressed concrete girders in the country. “It has become apparent through deliberations that options are limited as there is a clear requirement to keep an operational link to Great Bernera, whilst an alternative structure is being constructed. The Isle of Bernera is linked to Lewis by a spectacular bridge which was built in 1953. Structural surveys show it has badly deteriorated, but the cost of a substantial long-term replacement is estimated at £5 million. Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 22 January 1993. CnES says it is grateful for the continued patience of the community. But instead of costing its previous estimate of £500,000 the bill is now forecast at £2m. A report by Robert Emmott, the council’s director for assets, finance and resources, has said:”Costs are estimated at £2m for the immediate solution, which will have a predicted lifespan of 30 years. Great Bernera In 1953 a bridge was built, linking the largest island in Loch Roag to Lewis. It was constructed after islanders threatened to dynamite the hillside to create a causeway of their own making. Otters are frequently seen, both in the Tob and along the seashore. As the steel structure is assembled it will be launched out across the channel on temporary supports using a winch system. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. The pioneering link - which opened in 1953 - was also the first pre-stressed concrete girder road bridge in the UK, costing at the time £70,000. Bernera, officially known as Great Bernera, is a rocky island off the north west coast of Lewis, joined to the mainland by a narrow bridge. The reflection of light (even on a dull day), the sound of the sea, the distant views, and even the modern bridge make it a great spot. Rock embankments at each end will provide support with the approach roads re-aligned to tie into the new bridge. The bridge was built in 1953 and before this the only way to reach the island located in Loch Roag was by boat. Great Bernera, or simply Bernera, proves how popular the policy of building fixed links to the smaller islands can be. Landscape between Bostadh and Tobson Bernera Bridge Completed in 1953, the Bernera Bridge links the island of Bernera to mainland Lewis. The bridge was, at the time, the first pre-stressed concrete bridge in Europe. 25 local men were employed to build the bridge, which cost £70,000. Reference (2010) NB 1640 3425 The megaliths of Callanish VIII are located at the top of a 12.5m cliff on almost level ground. Structural surveys shows the bridge has badly deteriorated. Councillors have been told the best interim solution is a new crossing on the east side of the existing bridge. It consists of three spans, each of 108ft, formed of three parallel beams of pre-stressed concrete, and covered by an in-situ concrete deck slab. The bridge is 13ft wide between parapets, has a 9ft carriageway, 3ft footpath, and guard kerb 1ft wide. It was opened in 1953 and was the first example of pre-stressed concrete girders being used in a UK bridge. Further Details. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. The only village is Breaclete - or in Gaelic Breacleit, the island's road signs are primarily in Gaelic. The bridge from the Isle of Lewis to the even smaller island of Great Bernera is relatively new. “The most time and cost effective means of crossing has been determined as being through the construction of new abutments to the east of the existing bridge and spanning the water with one steel trussed structure. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community. A NEW bridge over the Atlantic is on its way for “marooned” islanders. Before the current bridge was built there had been a local campaign for a causeway to replace the boat which used to cross the strait with cattle swimming behind it. It was so bad that I originally was going to move to the Branford area, but dealing with the bridge was not worth it. The crucial link between the Isles of Lewis and Great Bernera had been out of the headlines for decades. Bernera is dotted with lochans and fringed by a few small lobster fishing settlements. Bridge Centre, Stornoway, Lewis Lewis Sports Centre, Stornoway, Lewis Perceval Sq, Stornoway, Lewis Bernera Community Hall, Lewis Ardroil Sands, Uig Huisinis Gateway, Harris Tarbert, Pier Road, Harris Harris Sports Centre, Tarbert, Harris Leverburgh Ferry Terminal, Harris Uist and Benbecula Berneray Harbour Berneray Ferry Terminal The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is MOUNT CAR which is approximately 4 miles away and has an elevation of 180 feet (180 feet higher than Great Bridge (historical)). On the main road to Uig, just past Loch Roag is the turnoff for Great Bernera, or just Bernera, to it’s friends. Visited 2nd August 2004: Just as enigmatic as I'd anticipated, Bernera Bridge is a weird old thing. Activities. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. It lies just off the northwest coast of Lewis and is connected by a bridge. "Work is ongoing on the procurement of the necessary elements to make this happen.”. A bridge is to cost £2m - four times its original estimate - councillors were recently told. Great Bernera Island Cross from the Isle of Lewis to the island of Great Bernera on the “bridge over the Atlantic” for a real glimpse into the history of the Isle of Lewis. Otters are frequently seen, both in the Tob and along the seashore. A model of it was exhibited at The Festival of Britain. Aged 44, diving on the anchor of a creel boat in Bosta Beach, Great Bernera (Isle of Lewis), not a sports dive, but unclear if it was a paid/working dive. At the start of the 1950s the 400 residents were so keen to bridge the 150m gap between Bernera and Lewis they threatened to build their own causeway by … On the day it opened 4000 people gathered to cross it. Near the bridge is a unique standing stone arrangement - called Callanish VIII - a megalithic group of four standing stones arranged in a semicircle facing the strait that divides Great Bernera from the Isle of Lewis. Crossing the Bridge Over the Atlantic to Bernera September 23, 2014 By Katie MacLeod 9 Comments Yes, you read that title correctly: to reach the island of Great Bernera, right next to the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, you have to drive along a bridge across the Atlantic. Completed in 1953, the Bernera Bridge links the island of Bernera to mainland Lewis. The 100 metre long structure will replace the present road link across Loch Roag which is out of bounds for larger vehicles after the discovery of defects required a 7.5 tonne weight limit imposed permanently on the existing structure. With an area of just over 21 square kilometres (8 square miles), it is the thirty-fourth largest Scottish island. The link is 'The Bridge to the Island' by Jason Feddy www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4mJZlOvc3o I have also add It's situation above the channel of Sruth Iarsiadar is a great sensory bonus. We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . Great Bernera A NEW bridge over the Atlantic is on its way for “marooned” islanders. No other details. The bridge is 13ft wide between parapets, has a 9ft carriageway, 3ft footpath, and guard kerb 1ft wide. The road link spans 108 feet over a fast-flowing sea strait on the Atlantic seaboard. Please note that the Bernera Bridge currently has a 7.5T weight limit due to structural problems, a new bridge is planned for 2021. An ancient island with reminders of the past at every turn. Great Bernera, or simply Bernera, proves how popular the policy of building fixed links to the smaller islands can be. We have a large number of photographs within our archive showing the people, places and life of Great Bernera and Tir Mor over the past 100 years or so. Great Bernera Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 790333.jpg 640 × 488; 60 KB Great Bernera bridge and pier - geograph.org.uk - 1522842.jpg 640 × 426; 295 KB Great Bernera Landscape.JPG 4,752 × 3,168; 7.64 MB Defects discovered on the present structure resulted in an urgent 7.5 tonne weight limit being imposed which prevents mid-sized lorries, artics and road tankers from using the road link over Loch Roag. The usual design parameter for a bridge would be to last for 120 years. At the start of the 1950s the 400 residents were so keen to bridge the 150m gap between Bernera and Lewis they threatened to build their own causeway by dynamiting the cliffs on either side. The bridge to Great Bernera is the most northerly of the inter-island crossings in the Western Isles. ... ©2018 by Great Bernera Museum. 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