Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Roving Bridge over Neath Canal at Giant's Grave
Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Giant's Grave, Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot, designated on 19 May 2000.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 19 May 2000
- Locality
- Giant's Grave
- Community
- Briton Ferry
- Unitary authority
- Neath Port Talbot
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.63823, -3.82893
- Cadw reference
- 23304
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1636 map "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1637 · The fourth table of England. Cornub. Devonia, Somerset etc. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1865 · England and Wales. England No. 6. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1891 · Sheet 10. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. . (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1897 · 247 Swansea (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Crossing the Neath Canal immediately W of the end of Giant's Grave Road.
History
The Neath Canal was begun in 1791 and opened in 1794 to exploit the coal reserves of the upper Neath valley. The canal was originally cut as far as Melincrythan near Neath, where it joined the river. In 1798-9 the canal was extended to Giant's Grave, terminating in a basin. Later it was extended piecemeal further towards the coast (known as the Jersey Canal), beginning c1815 by a short extension to a new transhipment point, until 1847 when it had reached the new Briton Ferry Ironworks. The canal was closed to traffic in 1921. The roving bridge, probably completed by 1799, has ramped approaches facing the W on both sides on order that horses could cross the bridge without releasing the tow rope.
Exterior
A single-span bridge, of which the original stonework is snecked rubble, the restoration work random rubble. The segmental arch has tooled voussoirs and larger dressed quoins. The parapet has renewed flat stone copings. The hump-backed deck is laid with concrete and returns on the S side to form the ramped approaches. On the W side the parapet of the approach is ramped down to ground level adjacent to the canal.
Reason for designation
Listed, notwithstanding recent restoration, for industrial archaeological interest as an original built component of the Neath Canal.
Nearby in the register
- Church of St MaryReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Workshops, stores and office at Briton Ferry FoundaryIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Salem Baptist ChapelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Church of St ClementReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.