THE streets of Chepstow and the banks of the Wye were lined with hundreds of people as the 200th anniversary of the Old Wye Bridge was celebrated on Sunday.

In commemoration of its opening in 1816, a re-enactment of the original opening ceremony was held at the same time as it was 200 years ago, almost down to the minute.

The Grade 1 listed Old Wye Bridge holds a significant place in Chepstow and world history, as it is the world’s only remaining five-arch iron road bridge built before 1850.

The celebrations reflected the importance of the structure with a procession of hundreds marching from Beaufort Square down Bridge Street before arriving on the bridge for the ceremony.

Led by the mace bearer and town crier the procession featured a local band, councillors, magistrates, engineers, clergy, farmers, tradesman, students and members of the public, just as it did two centuries ago.

Upon reaching the bridge the president of the Institution of Civil Engineers Sir John Armitt began the ceremony, just as John Urpeth Rastrick, the engineer who designed and built the bridge did.

He was followed by chairman of Monmouthshire County Council Councillor Jim Higginson, chairman of Gloucestershire County Council Councillor Colin Hay who hold joint responsibility for the bridge.

Mayor of Bridgnorth Councillor Vanessa Voysey, the place where the iron arches were cast, also spoke before Chepstow Town Mayor, Councillor Paul Pavia brought formalities to a close.

The ceremony finished as the dignitaries unveiled a new plaque and a procession of vintage cars and buses crossed the bridge.

Celebrations continued into the afternoon on the banks of the Wye as part of the end of the Chepstow festival and the day was capped off with fireworks in the evening.

Cllr Pavia was thrilled to see so many turn out for the event commemorating such a vital part of Chepstow.

“It’s so great to see so many local people out to celebrate this wonderful and unique day, the 200th anniversary of this world famous bridge.

“The (Old Wye Bridge) has and continues to be a bridge of enormous value to Chepstow not only linking us daily to our neighbours in Gloucestershire but it’s a beautiful bridge with such graceful lines.

“The bridge looks wonderful and as a town we are extremely proud of it.”