Glamorganshire Canal

The Glamorganshire Canal was a canal in Glamorgan, South Wales, UK, running from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff.

Related Topics:
Canal - Glamorgan - Wales - UK - Merthyr Tydfil - Cardiff

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Construction began in 1790, after Parliamentary approval was given. Construction was funded by the Merthyr ironworks owners seeking a means of transporting their iron to the sea.

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The contractor for the project was Thomas Dadford, a pupil of the canal engineer James Brindley.

Related Topics:
Thomas Dadford - James Brindley

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The Merthyr to Pontypridd section was completed in 1792, the Pontypridd to Cardiff section in 1794. The canal was completed in 1798 with the addition of a sea lock in Cardiff docks. The cost was £103,600.

Related Topics:
Pontypridd - Sea lock

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The canal was around 25 miles (40 km) long, with a drop of around 542 feet (165 m) requiring 50 locks.

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The shares in the canal were bought in 1883 by the Marquess of Bute.

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The canal lost favour after the Taff Vale Railway opened, and the upper section suffered from the effects of mining subsidence. Today, limited traces of the canal remain - one or two bridges and locks. The only tunnel, in Cardiff, has disappeared entirely.

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