Embanked Aqueduct over Ochram Brook

Cadw's description

Location

Carrying the canal on a hairpin bend over the Ochram Brook on the southern edge of the Community Council area.

Exterior

History: The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal was promoted in 1792 to connect the upper Usk valley to the Monmouthshire Canal at Pontymoile and from there to the sea at Newport. Construction began in 1797, with Thomas Dadford as engineer, and the first section, from Gilwern to Llangynidr was completed in that year with the stretch as far as Brecon following in 1800. Work then stopped for a time with the result that the section to the Blaenavon Road east of Govilon was not completed until 1805, now with Thomas Cartwright as engineer. Further funds had to be raised and the last section from west of Llanfoist to Pontymoile was completed between 1809 and 1812, with William Crosley as engineer. Linked to tramroads, the canal was an important artery for trade in iron, lime and coal. In 1865 the Monmouthshire and the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal Companies merged becoming the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Company. Later still the canal was bought out by the Great Western Railway and gradually the canal was run down until it was finally abandoned in 1962. Restoration work was begun in 1964.
Description: This aqueduct lies within the section completed in 1812 under William Crosley. The line of this canal closely follows the contours with the result that instead of locks there are embanked aqueducts on sharp bends. In several places these streams serve as feeders for the canal with half their water being diverted into the canal and the remainder passing under the aqueduct.

Masonry revetment on downhill side forms an embanked aqueduct to carry the canal around the corner and over the stream which passes under a low semicircular arch with voussoirs; no parapets. Ramped revetments with end pilaster buttresses. Under the canal is a long tunnel (approximately 20m.) through which the stream passes. Similar arch detail to west side and remains of an overflow weir.
Listed as a scarce and well-preserved engineering feature of this early C19 canal.

References: Nicholson's guides to the Waterways, vol 3, South-west,
p49-55, (n.d.).
R A Stevens, Brecknock & Abergavenny and Monmouthshire Canals (Towpath Guide No 2), (Cambridge, 1974), p55.