History in Structure

Rhydycar Canal Bridge

A Grade II Listed Building in Cyfarthfa, Merthyr Tydfil

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.742 / 51°44'31"N

Longitude: -3.3815 / 3°22'53"W

OS Eastings: 304711

OS Northings: 205714

OS Grid: SO047057

Mapcode National: GBR HN.1J4R

Mapcode Global: VH6CY.BGPY

Plus Code: 9C3RPJR9+RC

Entry Name: Rhydycar Canal Bridge

Listing Date: 17 February 1995

Last Amended: 19 December 2002

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 15677

Building Class: Transport

Also known as: Iron Canal Bridge from Rhydycar

ID on this website: 300015677

Location: Located S of Merthyr College and crossing the line of the former Glamorganshire Canel E of Ynysfach housing estate.

County: Merthyr Tydfil

Community: Cyfarthfa

Community: Cyfarthfa

Locality: Rhydycar

Built-Up Area: Merthyr Tydfil

Traditional County: Glamorgan

Tagged with: Bridge

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Merthyr Tydfil

History

Canal overbridge, typical of the original stone bridges on the Glamorganshire Canal in its construction, but unusual in having an additional arch, probably to accommodate a tramroad running parallel with the canal. It is likely the main span was built as an accommodation bridge for adjacent farms in the Llwyncelyn and Wern areas c1790 or soon afterwards. It is shown in an illustration by William Wood dated 1811. The canal was the prime artery of trade linking the ironworks of
Merthyr Tydfil with their markets via the port of Cardiff throughout the heyday of the iron industry, from the late C18 to the mid C19. Construction began at Merthyr in 1790, and the canal was opened in 1794. It was financed primarily by iron industry interests, among whom the Crawshay family of Cyfarthfa Ironworks were the leading shareholders. Contractors were the eminent canal engineers Thomas Dadford senior, Thomas Dadford junior and Thomas Sheasby.

Exterior

Canal bridge of coursed rubble sandstone crossing a deep cutting. Central elliptical arch with dressed voussoirs, height at centre approximately 6.7m with 5.5m span. Wing walls to support the cutting sides at 45 degrees to the crossing. The smaller arch with some 0.9m span on the east side is at a higher level and appears to have been inserted later, probably in the early C19.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as a now rare example of one of the early bridges on this important canal.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

  • II St Tydfil's Church
    Situated in an enclosed churchyard at S end of High Street close to roundabout on A470 road.
  • II Gates & Railings at St Tydfil's Churchyard
    Running along the High Street side of churchyard and curving round the S part to join the outer face of W tower.
  • II Ironwork Fountain Canopy
    Set on modern concrete base in open ground immediately S of St Tydfil’s churchyard. Formerly located in centre of road further S, close to site of modern roundabout.
  • II Crown Inn
    Towards the S end of High Street where road narrows.
  • II High Street Baptist Church
    On a detached site midway down the pedestrianised section of High Street.
  • II Barclay's Bank
    Slightly set back frontage in assorted group of older buildings.
  • II* Ynysfach Engine House
    Located at the W of Merthyr College and just N of the remains of the Ynysfach blast furnaces.
  • II The Court House
    Set at right angles to Court Street which runs NE from High Street and under the railway embankment before passing The Court House to reach the terraced housing on the hillside at Twyn-yr-Odyn.

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