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Latitude: 51.633 / 51°37'58"N
Longitude: -3.7454 / 3°44'43"W
OS Eastings: 279295
OS Northings: 194128
OS Grid: SS792941
Mapcode National: GBR H5.88MF
Mapcode Global: VH5GW.1790
Plus Code: 9C3RJ7M3+5R
Entry Name: Pontrhydyfen Viaduct
Listing Date: 21 March 2000
Last Amended: 21 March 2000
Grade: II
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 23024
Building Class: Transport
ID on this website: 300023024
Location: Long viaduct spanning the Afan valley where the river curves round towards the S, and the road which leads from Cwmavon to Pontrhydyfen.
County: Neath Port Talbot
Town: Port Talbot
Community: Cwmavon (Cwmafan)
Community: Cwmavon
Locality: Pontrhydyfen
Built-Up Area: Pontrhydyfen
Traditional County: Glamorgan
Tagged with: Bridge over valley Railway bridge
Built as part of a branch line by the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Co. to link the docks with the coal producing areas to the N. The viaduct crosses the Afan valley, beyond which the line joined the South Wales Mineral Railway. It was constructed in 1897-8 by the contractors Topham, Jones and Railton, and was absorbed soon afterwards by the GWR. It closed in 1964.
Ten-arch railway viaduct of red brick, curving round slightly towards the NW. Tall round arches on narrow splayed piers, the arches consisting of 6 rows of headers on edge. Short abutments at either end. Blue brick string course and red brick parapets with corbelled refuges rising from the spandrels of the arches. The coping is generally of blue bricks on end, replaced in concrete in some areas. The flat deck is now a path and the refuges have been infilled with blue brick with concrete coping. At each end of the deck are pairs of short piers marking the abutments. These and the areas between have massive rock-faced capstones.
Listed as a largely unaltered viaduct of architectural merit which is highly visible and imparts considerable character to the area. The association with Port Talbot docks is of additional historic interest. Group value with Bont Fawr aqueduct.
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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