Aqueduct over Malpas Brook, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (partly in Shaftesbury Community)

Cadw's description

Location

Situated immediately N of Malpas Junction, the junction of the main line of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and the branch to Crumlin. The M4 motorway bridge lies between aqueduct and junction.

History

Built c. 1795. The eastern branch of the Monmouthshire Canal was authorised by Act of Parliament in 1792, and officially opened in 1799. It ran from Newport to Pontnewynydd and was engineered by Thomas Dadford Jnr. The canal conected with several tramroads belonging to the same company (Monmouthshire Canal Navigation Company), carrying coal down to the wharves. The branch was 11 miles (18.6 kilometres) long and rose 447 feet (136 metres) through 42 locks. The contemporary western branch, 12 miles (20.3 kilometres) long, ran to Crumlin. In 1812, the eastern branch was connected to the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal at Pontymoile Basin, and this became the main line. In 1852-3, the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company built a railway line down to Newport, the company amalgamating with the Great Western Railway in 1880. The canal then became increasingly disused. The Crumlin branch closed in 1949, the main line in 1962.

Exterior

Rubble built aqueduct with splayed ends. Cement copings, with recent brick coping to east side. Two low segmental arches, with cutwater on upstream (W) side. The heads of the arches have been cemented over. West side has parapet at ground level: east side is higher, providing a protective wall alongside the towpath.

Reason for designation

Listed as a significant element of the engineering works associated with the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.