Pennorth railway bridge

Cadw's description

Location

In the hamlet of Pennorth adjacent to the crossroads.

History

Built in 1860s, part of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway. The line of the Hay Railway between Hay on Wye and Brecon, built 1816-1818 mainly to transport coal and iron from the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal at Brecon northwards into Herefordshire, ran a short distance to N at Tal-y-llyn. This was later adapted for the Brecon and Merthyr Railway built 1860s which turned S at Tal-y-llyn Junction, crossed the canal at Talybont, then climbing up - a rise of 925 ft (282m) including 6 1/2 miles (10.5km) at 1 in 38 - and tunnelling through the mountains at Torpantau tunnel, terminated at Merthyr. It was sponsored by Brecon bankers and local interests including the de Winton family, Brecon industrialists. First 19 miles from Brecon to Pant opened 1863, extended to Dowlais 1869 and thence to Merthyr, engineer Henry Conybeare. The hamlet of Pennorth appears to have developed around the railway with nearby houses dated 1860s. Line closed 1960s.

Exterior

High bridge carrying the road S of Llangorse Lake over the deep railway cutting. Built of snecked rockfaced sandstone. Arch has diamond shaped voussoirs and smooth narrow arises; similar arises to the abutments which project either side; stringcourse at parapet level mostly masked by vegetation. Coping of giant rockfaced blocks.

Reason for designation

Included as a surviving intact bridge associated with the Brecon and Merthyr Railway.