Steel Works Road, Ebbw Vale, N23
The original ashlar stone bridge was built in 1813 over a tramroad which connected the Monmouthshire Canal with the Beaufort ironworks. It is unclear what at this time was carried over the tramroad at this point and why such a massive and impressive structure was needed. Adjacent to the main arch was a second arch over a road which ran parallel to the tramroad up the valley. The tramroad was converted into a railway in 1855 and this was acquired by the GWR in 1875.
Meanwhile in about 1848 the level of the overbridge was raised and the part over the tramroad was carried on eight small round arches, coarsely made in stone. This more than doubled the height and provided a level path for a tramroad at right angles to the original, linking the Ebbw Vale ironworks to the works at Sirhowy in the next valley.
Today both tramroads have been replaced by roads.
By road: Steel Works Road, the B4486, passes beneath the bridge on the track of the old railway. It is crossed by Market Square, off the A4046.
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Forgotten Relics - Listed Bridges and Viaducts
