History in Structure

Ynysafan Tramroad Bridge

A Grade II Listed Building in Cwmavon, Neath Port Talbot

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.6166 / 51°36'59"N

Longitude: -3.7535 / 3°45'12"W

OS Eastings: 278689

OS Northings: 192322

OS Grid: SS786923

Mapcode National: GBR H5.96LJ

Mapcode Global: VH5GV.WMJK

Plus Code: 9C3RJ68W+JH

Entry Name: Ynysafan Tramroad Bridge

Listing Date: 9 August 1993

Last Amended: 21 March 2000

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 15845

Building Class: Transport

ID on this website: 300015845

Location: At the end of a lane off Ynysafan terrace and crossing the River Afan.

County: Neath Port Talbot

Town: Port Talbot

Community: Cwmavon (Cwmafan)

Community: Cwmavon

Built-Up Area: Cwmavon

Traditional County: Glamorgan

Tagged with: Tram bridge

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Port Talbot

History

A 3-arched viaduct built to carry the Bryn Railroad over the River Afan. The Bryn Railroad was an early horse-drawn railway or tramroad which connected coal mines on the east of the valley at Bryn to the coast, the copperworks to the west established by the English Copper Company in 1838 and the ironworks just to the south established c1810. The viaduct dates from c1840 or earlier, and may have been built as early as 1819. Horse-drawn tramroads were vital to the development of the south Wales coal field in this period.

Exterior

Built of coursed rubble sandstone with 3 elliptical arches of dressed face voussoirs with rubble vaults springing from 2 narrow piers and from curving abutments. There are dressed stone triangular cutwaters which step in towards the top, to both sides of the piers. The parapets are in rougher stonework and may be later additions. They are partly missing. The bridge is unusually wide and may have carried a double line of track. A modern steel footbridge has been erected across the top, spanning the entire structure along the N side.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as an unusually complete early C19 tramroad bridge of impressive proportions. The viaduct is one of only 5 multi-span tramroad bridges known to remain in Wales.

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 Penuel Chapel
    Located opposite Jersey Row and next to the Jersey Arms public house.
  • II Church of St Michael
    Located at the corner of Ty'r Owen Row and London Row.
  • II Tabernacle Chapel
    Located in a prominent position on the hillside overlooking the centre of Cwmavon. The vestry of 1931 is alongside.

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