Barrack Hill Canal Tunnel Portal, Shaftesbury, Newport

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.597 / 51°35'49"N

Longitude: -3.0001 / 3°0'0"W

OS Eastings: 330820

OS Northings: 189155

OS Grid: ST308891

Mapcode National: GBR J5.BQ2B

Mapcode Global: VH7BC.Y492

Plus Code: 9C3RHXWX+QW

Entry Name: Barrack Hill Canal Tunnel Portal

Listing Date: 28 August 2001

Last Amended: 28 August 2001

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 25735

Building Class: Transport

ID on this website: 300025735

Location: Near the bottom of the very steep Barrack Hill just before it curves to S.

County: Newport

Town: Newport

Community: Shaftesbury

Locality: Crindau

Built-Up Area: Newport

Traditional County: Monmouthshire

Tagged with: Canal tunnel

Find accommodation in
Newport

History

The eastern branch of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal was authorised by Act of Parliament in 1792 and officially opened in 1799. It ran from Newport to Pont Newynydd and was engineered by Thomas Dadford Jnr. The canal connected with several tramroads belonging to the same company (Monmouthshire Canal Navigation Company), carrying coal down to the wharves. The branch was 17.7 km long and rose 136.2 metres through 42 locks. The contemporary western branch, 19 kms long, ran to Crumlin. In 1812, the eastern branch was connected to the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal at Pontymoile Basin and this became the main line. In 1853-55, the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company built a railway down to Newport, the company amalgamating with the Great Western Railway in 1880. The canal then became increasingly disused. The Crumlin Branch closed in 1949, the main line in 1962. The tunnel would have been the last canal structure before the wharfs at Newport. First edition OS map shows its relatively short length, the stretch of canal beyond now destroyed though its route still indicated by surviving Canal Street which formerly led down to it. All traffic would have passed through the tunnel as it is sited lower than the division between the two branches, the W to Crumlin and E to Pontypool, Abergavenny and Brecon.

Exterior

Canal tunnel portal. Of random rubble with tooled flat coping. The parapet is angled to the slope of the hill; round arch entrance with part-tooled voussoirs and keystone. Towpath is on E side; approach bank reinforced with stone Arch now has a wire mesh blocking, a sluice and grille in front and a broken electrical installation at side.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as a surviving structure from this important canal complex.

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 Crindau, comprising Crindau House and Crindau Sports and Social Club
On the hillside rising to Brynglas, the cul-de-sac Chelston Place reached from Redland Street; set within a terraced garden and surrounded by terrace housing.
II Gymnasium, Raglan Barracks
Raglan Barracks has a commanding hilltop site on N edge of Newport and is approached up Barrack Hill. This building is at the NE edge of the site and the end and rear walls are built into the perimet
II Crindau Bridge, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (partly in Allt yr yn community)
Located off the Malpas Road, immediately S of Junction 26 of the M4 motorway. Bridge carries track to allotments.
II Crindau Bridge, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (partly in Shaftesbury Community)
Located off the Malpas Road, immediately S of Junction 26 of the M4 motorway. Bridge carries track to allotments.
II Range to NE of Main Barrack Block, Raglan Barracks
Raglan Barracks has a commanding hilltop site on N edge of Newport. This range is immediately to NE of the main barrack block close to the main entrance.
II Territorial Army Former Veterinary Hospital, Raglan Barracks
Raglan Barracks has a commanding hilltop site on N edge of Newport and is approached up Barrack Hill. This building is midway along the S facing side of the site and in part abuts the stone perimeter
II Guard Room beside main entrance, Raglan Barracks
Raglan Barracks has a commanding hilltop site on N edge of Newport and is approached up Barrack Hill. It is surrounded by this stone perimeter wall; and the main entrance is near the NE end; the Guar
II Armoury (including building and yard to right), Raglan Barracks
Raglan Barracks has a commanding hilltop site on N edge of Newport and is approached up Barrack Hill. This range is on the SE side of the barrack square directly opposite the main barrack range.

British Listed Buildings

History in Structure

Barrack Hill Canal Tunnel Portal

A Grade II Listed Building in Shaftesbury, Newport