British Listed Buildings

History in Structure

Blaen y Cwm Viaduct

A Grade II Listed Building in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent

More Photos »
Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.7902 / 51°47'24"N

Longitude: -3.2586 / 3°15'30"W

OS Eastings: 313288

OS Northings: 210925

OS Grid: SO132109

Mapcode National: GBR YV.YJ9Z

Mapcode Global: VH6CT.G8NF

Plus Code: 9C3RQPRR+3H

Entry Name: Blaen y Cwm Viaduct

Listing Date: 25 May 1962

Last Amended: 21 October 2004

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 1860

Building Class: Transport

Also known as: Nantybwch Viaduct

ID on this website: 300001860

Location: Nant-y-bwch is situated along the A465 (Heads of the Valleys road), 0.5 km N of Tredegar. Railway viaduct is prominently visible from the road, NE of the Tredegar roundabout and is reached via a foot

County: Blaenau Gwent

Community: Tredegar

Community: Tredegar

Locality: Nant-y-bwch

Built-Up Area: Tredegar

Traditional County: Brecknockshire

Tagged with: Viaduct Railway viaduct

Find accommodation in
Nant-y-bwch

History

Built 1864 to the design of John Gardner, engineer to the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway Company, which was set up in 1859. The company consisted largely of ironmasters, including Crawshay Bailey of Nantyglo (chairman), Thomas Brown (Ebbw Vale), and James Hill of Blaenavon. The Company became overdrawn by mid 1861, due to the high cost of crossing mountainous territory. The London and North Western Railway took a 1000 year lease of the Company with generous terms, confirmed by Act of Parliament in August 1862, by which time the line was operating from Abergavenny to Brynmawr. The old company was finally absorbed by the LNWR in 1866, and over less than 18 years, proceeded to build the railway, which crossed 25 miles (42.25 kilometres) of mountainous country. The railway finally closed in 1958.

Exterior

Impressive viaduct constructed of rock-faced limestone, spanning broad valley. Nine round-headed arches of brick. Rock-faced copings: the brick parapets have been removed.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as a major survival of later C19 railway engineering, the railway being central to the iron and coal industry of the eastern valleys of Wales.

External Links

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.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

  • II Agricultural Range at Milgatw
    Milgatw is located at the end of a no-through road. Agricultural range lies immediately to the E of the farmhouse, the buildings separated by a narrow pitched stone yard.
  • II* Milgatw
    Blaen-y-cwm is reached off the Tredegar-Trefil Road, from Nant-y-bwch. Located some 1 km N of Tredegar. Milgatw is located at the end of the no-through road.
  • II* Sirhowy Ironworks
    Graham’s Yard is located off Dukestown Road. Ironworks is set into hillside to E.
  • II Former Tramroad Bridge over Sirhowy River
    Located parallel to Dukestown Road, carrying junction of short road connecting to roundabout to S. Opposite entrance to Graham’s Yard.
  • II Ironworks Boundary Stone
    Located at the junction of Dukestown Road with Beaufort Road, S of the Railway Tavern. The site of the ironworks lie approximately 0.2 km N.
  • II W boundary walls, gates and railings at St George’s church
    The church is located on the E side of Church Street. The W boundary extends along Church Street, from which is the main entrance to the church.
  • II Christina Louise Nursing Home (aka Central Surgery)
    Very prominently located on the W side of Church Street, SW of St. George’s Church.
  • II St George’s Church
    Prominently located on the E side of the street, set within large railed churchyard.

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.