Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Cefn (Newbridge) Railway Viaduct (partly in Cefn Community)
Chirk, Wrexham, Wales
A Grade II* listed building in Newbridge, Chirk, Wrexham, designated on 4 January 1966.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 4 January 1966
- Locality
- Newbridge
- Community
- Chirk
- Unitary authority
- Wrexham
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.96288, -3.06525
- Cadw reference
- 628
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 LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1898 · 121 Wrexham (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1898 · 121 Wrexham (Outline) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
The viaduct carries the railway across the wide valley of the River Dee between Newbridge and Cefn-bychan.
History
The viaduct was built to the design of Henry Robinson of Llantysilio, chief engineer to the Shrewsbury to Chester Railway, in 1846, Thomas Brassey being the general contractor, and completed in August 1848. The cost was £72,346. The Shrewsbury Chester line was initiated by 'King' Robinson, who had received his training under George Stephenson, and who recognised the need, not met by the canals, to transport materials to Wrexham and Chester. The line became part of the Great Western Railway system in 1854.
Exterior
Built of coursed squared rock-faced sandstone, the upper arched stage of brick faced with stone. It is 460m (1,508ft) long, comprising 19 arches of 18.2m (60ft) span, rising 46m (147ft) above the river. The main piers are tapered upwards to the springing line, above which the arch voussoirs are recessed behind the face. Above, the low parapet is carried on a corbel table.
Reason for designation
Included at grade II* as a highly impressive and architecturally elegant example of mid C19 railway engineering.
Nearby in the register
- Cefn (Newbridge) Railway Viaduct (partly in Chirk Community)Transportunder 1 mi
- Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Tan-y-CutLinear Earthworkunder 1 mi
- Cefn Bychan Baptist ChapelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Irishman's Bridge on the Llangollen CanalTransportunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.