Ashford tunnel N Portal (Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal), Talybont-on-Usk, Powys

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.8875 / 51°53'14"N

Longitude: -3.2762 / 3°16'34"W

OS Eastings: 312265

OS Northings: 221760

OS Grid: SO122217

Mapcode National: GBR YT.RCZ1

Mapcode Global: VH6C7.5TCF

Plus Code: 9C3RVPPF+XG

Entry Name: Ashford tunnel N Portal (Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal)

Listing Date: 17 December 1998

Last Amended: 17 December 1998

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 21115

Building Class: Transport

ID on this website: 300021115

Location: Adjacent to B4558, W of Ashford.

County: Powys

Community: Talybont-on-Usk (Tal-y-bont ar Wysg)

Community: Talybont-on-Usk

Locality: Llanddetti

Traditional County: Brecknockshire

Tagged with: Canal tunnel

Find accommodation in
Llansantffread

History

Tunnel is 375 yds (343m) long and the only tunnel on the canal. The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal was promoted in 1792 to connect the upper Usk valley with the Monmouthshire Canal at Pontymoile and from there to the sea at Newport. First section, between Gilwern and Talybont, was cut between 1797 and 1799, with upper section between Talybont and Brecon opened in 1800, both sections engineered by Thomas Dadford. Lower section between Gilwern and Pontymoile completed 1812 and engineered by William Crosley. Linked to tramroads, the canal was an important artery for trade in iron, lime and coal. In 1865 the Brecknock and Abergavenny and the Monmouthshire Canals merged to become the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, which was later incorporated into the Great Western Railway. Last toll was taken in 1933. Restoration of canal began 1964.
Tunnel re-opened after repair 1985.

Exterior

Portal of sandstone rubble with stone keystone and brick voussoirs to the round arched entrance. Parapet to roadside is hard up against and partly overlaps E side of arch. Towpath does not continue through tunnel, the boats were shafted through; track across top.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for the special interest of the Ashford Tunnel as one of the original engineered structures on the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal.

Group value with Ashford and Ashford Cottage.

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 Ashford
Close to the River Usk and below the road between Llangynidr and Talybont, reached by a sloping drive.
II Ashford Tunnel S Portal (Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal)
Adjacent to the B4558, NE of Ashford Cottage.
II Ashford Cottage
Set into the hillside above the B4558 overlooking the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, Ashford Tunnel and Ashford
II Craiglas aka Graiglas
On the hillside above the canal SE of Talybont village and on the mountain road to Tor y Foel.
II Wenallt Upper Bridge (Canal Bridge No.141)
On the hillside W of B4558, near Lower Wenallt.
II Yr Aildy
Fronting the canal towpath and built into the slope, the rear facing The Travellers Rest Inn on B4558, at the SE edge of Talybont village.
II Former Counting House
Set into the bank above the canal, one side fronting the mountain road the other the canal, on the SE edge of Talybont village.
II Glynderi
Facing the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal and Bridge No. 142 on the E side of Talybont and immediately adjacent to the limekilns at Brynhyfryd.

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History in Structure

Ashford tunnel N Portal (Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal)

A Grade II Listed Building in Talybont-on-Usk, Powys