Pontypridd Old Bridge
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Bridge Street, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff CF37 4PF
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Pontypridd is synonymous with its bridges - the name Pontypridd is from Pont-y-tÅ·-pridd, Welsh for "bridge by the earthen house", a reference to a succession of wooden bridges that formerly spanned the River Taff at this point. The town was known as Newbridge from shortly after the construction of what is today called the "Old Bridge" until the 1860s. The Old Bridge, a stone bridge across the River Taff, was built in 1756 by William Edwards.
The construction contract included a guarantee clause - Edwards in fact constructed three successive bridges at the same site, with only the last surviving the torrential waters of the River Taff.
At the time of its construction, this was the longest single-span stone arch bridge in the world. Rising 11 m (35 ft) above the level of the river, the bridge is a perfect segment of a circle, the chord of which is 43 m (140 ft).
Notable features are three holes of differing diameters through each end of the bridge. The purpose of these was to reduce the weight of the bridge, although their aesthetically pleasing nature is a bonus. The utility of the bridge was debatable, however - the steepness of the design making it difficult to get horses and carts across it - and in 1857 a new bridge, the Victoria Bridge, paid for by public subscription, was built adjacent to the old one.
By road: On A4223, Bridge Street
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Pontypridd - Arial Photograph
Pontypridd - History