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Latitude: 52.264 / 52°15'50"N
Longitude: -3.5977 / 3°35'51"W
OS Eastings: 291061
OS Northings: 264071
OS Grid: SN910640
Mapcode National: GBR 9D.ZJVY
Mapcode Global: VH5CV.LCD8
Plus Code: 9C4R7C72+HW
Entry Name: Foel Valve Tower
Listing Date: 31 July 1995
Last Amended: 31 July 1995
Grade: II*
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 16201
Building Class: Water Supply and Drainage
ID on this website: 300016201
Location: Near NE end of Carreg Ddu viaduct.
County: Powys
Community: Rhayader (Rhaeadr Gwy)
Community: Rhayader
Locality: Elan Valley
Traditional County: Radnorshire
Tagged with: Building
Part of the Elan Valley reservoir scheme built by City of Birmingham 1893 to 1904. Engineer James Mansergh. The scheme was amongst the greatest civic achievements of the late C19. The Corporation of Birmingham employed direct labour for the scheme which involved the construction of 53 km of railway to transport materials from the Wye Valley line at Rhayader, 4 dams, an aqueduct 126 km long, and a village for construction workers. The height of the reservoirs enabled water to reach the outskirts of Birmingham by gravity alone, without the expense of pumping. Provision was made for future expansion in the Claerwen Valley where the scheme was brought to its current state by the Claerwen dam in 1952. Water supply to Birmingham is taken from this tower.
Round valve tower; brown rock-faced stone. Upper stage has copper dome with low lantern and weathervane, seven round arched windows; towards landward side, doorway onto bridge connecting tower to land; bridge has elliptical arch and parapet which continues round broader lower stage of tower which runs down below water level. At least two tiers of barred round-headed intake windows.
Interior said to contain original operating machinery.
Graded II* as an integral part of one of the greatest civic engineering achievements of the C19.
Group value.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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