Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Pont y Gwaith
Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 6 April 1988
- Locality
- Pontygwaith
- Town
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Community
- Treharris
- Unitary authority
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.66948, -3.33133
- Cadw reference
- 11515
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesNational Library of ScotlandDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Reached down a steep by-road from the old Cardiff to Merthyr road; by-road crosses the former Taff Vale Railway and the line of the Merthyr tramroad before descending to river. Sharp right hand turn on to bridge.
History
Road bridge carrying farm lane over Taff marked on plaque as of 1811, the arch rebuilt in 1993, but said in previous listing to be probably later C18 and by G Breese said to be post 1828, when bridge was recorded as being of wood.
Exterior
Road bridge, rubble stone humped-backed with single arch of exceptional steepness and wide (16.8m) span, rise of 4.8m and width of 4.2m. Arch has thin long cut stone voussoirs, rubble stone soffit. Spandrels are of small stones, the coursing swept up over thin arch crown. Abutment piers are broader, square, with squared stone quoins and base courses. Parapets are rebuilt in rock-faced stone with rock-faced stone rounded copings, splayed out at ends.
Reason for designation
Included as a narrow river bridge of exceptional character, crossing the river in a single steep arch.
Nearby in the register
- Pontygwaith OverbridgeNo class recordedunder 1 mi
- Pontygwaith Rail OverbridgeTransportunder 1 mi
- Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridgesTramroadunder 1 mi
- Quakers Yard Railway ViaductTransportunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.