In 1746, when it was proposed to throw a bridge over
river Taff, he was employed to build it. However, Edwards had not sufficiently provided for the passage of the floods, which in certain seasons rush down from the
Brecon Beacons. It proved to be a serious obstruction in the way of a heavy flood which swept down the valley about two years and a half after the bridge had been completed. Trees were torn up by the roots and carried down the stream and dammed the torrent. Force finally swept away arches and piers together, carrying the materials far down the river. Edward's second bridge was a failure because of daring experimentation. His friends generously came forward and helped him with the means of building his third bridge, which proved a complete success. The plan which he adopted, of more equally balancing the work and relieving the severe thrust upon the
haunches, was to introduce three cylindrical holes or tunnels in the masonry at those parts of the bridge. Among the more important of the later works of Edwards were the large bridge over the
river Usk, at the town of
Usk, in
Monmouthshire; one, of three arches, over the
river Tawe, near
Swansea; another, of one arch of 95 feet span, over the same river near
Morriston. In 1750, he became an ordained preacher among the independents. Shortly after, he was chosen minister of congregation to which he belonged, and he continued to hold the office for about forty years, until his death. ==Famous bridges==