Scheduled MonumentsWalesMerthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges
Post Medieval/Modern · Tramroad

Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges

Wales
Cadw SAM GM359
Period
Post Medieval/Modern
Site type
Tramroad
Broad class
Transport
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Pont y Gwaith section is a significant component of the Merthyr Tramroad, a pioneering early industrial transport infrastructure in Glamorgan, Wales. The tramroad was constructed in the late eighteenth century to facilitate the movement of iron and coal from the rapidly expanding works of Merthyr Tydfil to the Taff Vale and beyond. The Pont y Gwaith section, with its associated bridge structures, represents the engineering solutions developed to traverse the challenging topography of the industrial valleys. These stone-built bridges exemplify the practical construction methods employed during this formative period of British industrial transport, predating the railway age and demonstrating the technological innovations that characterised the late Georgian industrial landscape of South Wales.

Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM359. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges?

Pont y Gwaith section is a significant component of the Merthyr Tramroad, a pioneering early industrial transport infrastructure in Glamorgan, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM359.

What period does Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges date from?

Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges dates from the post medieval/modern period, and is classified as a tramroad. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges?

Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is GM359.

What other scheduled monuments are near Merthyr Tramroad: Pont y Gwaith section and associated bridges?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Garnedd Lwyd (6 km), Cross Ridge Dyke & Earthwork on Cefn Eglwysilan (6.2 km), Pontypridd Bridge (6.2 km).

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