A-Z of Services

Who Built The Aqueduct?

Historians continue to debate the question: who was the brains behind Pontcysyllte aqueduct? There were many people involved in its design and construction.

Thomas Telford

Thomas Telford ©National Portrait Gallery

Stonemason, architect and engineer. Designer of numerous bridges, roads and engineering works including the Caledonian Canal and the Menai Bridge
Appointed "General Agent, Surveyor, Engineer, Architect and Overlooker of the Canal" and was responsible for what happened on the ground.
Sketched an all iron aqueduct as early as 1794 and built one in Shropshire in 1796. Records show his involvement in the aqueduct’s design.
Claimed the credit for Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in his autobiography.

William Jessop

William Jessop ©National Portrait Gallery

Probably the most experienced canal engineer of his age, later Senior Engineer on the Caledonian Canal.
Appointed Principal Engineer in 1791 for the Ellesmere Canal Co. and was Telford’s manager.
Experienced in the latest techniques in aqueduct construction and an ironmaster in his own right.
Took responsibility for the aqueduct when presented plans to the company directors in July 1795. Records show his involvement in the aqueduct’s design.
Too modest to write an autobiography.

William Hazeldine

William Hazeldine ©National Portrait Gallery

Experienced ironmaster and engineer.
Records show his input into the aqueduct’s design before his foundry got the contract.
Wrote the final specifications for the design of the iron trough for the Pontcysyllte aqueduct.
Made the trough sections and the arches in his foundries at Plas Kynaston, next to the aqueduct, and in Shropshire.

William Turner

Whitchurch born architect.
Responsible for the first surveys, with John Duncombe, of the routes for the Ellesmere Canal. Favoured eastern route for the canal.
Submitted initial plans for the aqueducts over the Dee and the Ceiriog in 1792.
Lost out to Thomas Telford for job of General Agent.

"His engagement to extend to all architecture and engineering business to the drawing, forming and directing the making of bridges, aqueducts, tunnels, locks, buildings, reservoirs, wharfs and other works"

Thomas Telford’s job description.
Minutes of the Ellesmere Canal Co., 23rd September 1793

"I, Thomas Telford, would like to thank William Jessop, the engineer; Wiilliam Hazeldine, the ironmaster; and William Turner, surveyor, for their hard work in building my aqueduct."