Pontrhydyfen Viaduct

Cadw's description

Location

Long viaduct spanning the Afan valley where the river curves round towards the S, and the road which leads from Cwmavon to Pontrhydyfen.

History

Built as part of a branch line by the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Co. to link the docks with the coal producing areas to the N. The viaduct crosses the Afan valley, beyond which the line joined the South Wales Mineral Railway. It was constructed in 1897-8 by the contractors Topham, Jones and Railton, and was absorbed soon afterwards by the GWR. It closed in 1964.

Exterior

Ten-arch railway viaduct of red brick, curving round slightly towards the NW. Tall round arches on narrow splayed piers, the arches consisting of 6 rows of headers on edge. Short abutments at either end. Blue brick string course and red brick parapets with corbelled refuges rising from the spandrels of the arches. The coping is generally of blue bricks on end, replaced in concrete in some areas. The flat deck is now a path and the refuges have been infilled with blue brick with concrete coping. At each end of the deck are pairs of short piers marking the abutments. These and the areas between have massive rock-faced capstones.

Reason for designation

Listed as a largely unaltered viaduct of architectural merit which is highly visible and imparts considerable character to the area. The association with Port Talbot docks is of additional historic interest. Group value with Bont Fawr aqueduct.