The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Swansea Canal

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 01046.0w
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Castle
Unitary authority : Swansea
NGR : SS6579793437
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Canal

Summary :
The canal was designed by Charles Roberts and Thomas Sheasby and was built between 1794 and 1798. It was unique in Britain, however, in also supplying water power for around 42 of the new enterprises along its route.

Description :
The Swansea Canal was designed by Charles Roberts and Thomas Sheasby and was built between 1794 and 1798. Like all canals, it provided the reliable water transport essential for industrial development before the railways came, and at its peak was carrying 400,000 tons of cargo a year. It was unique in Britain, however, in also supplying water power for many of the new enterprises along its route. Until the canal was closed to navigation in 1931, it provided power for at least 42 installations along its 16 miles, and reputedly for the first electric house lighting in the valley, at Clydach. (02)

This unique dual role emphasizes the desirability of preserving the canal together with the associated industrial installations wherever possible. Only two canal sections remain in a restorable condition, from Clydach to Trebanos and from Pontardawe to Godre'r Graig. These are currently being renovated by the Swansea Canal Society. (02)

Sources :
Geake H , 1990 , A4067 Swansea Valley Route Stage Three Pontardawe to Ynysmeudwy An archaeological Assessment. ( © GGAT)
Toft L A , 1990 , A4067/A4217 Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth ( © GGAT)
01/PM Mention/Hughes SR/1977/Arch in Wales/p52 no101(20)
02/Pm Desc Text/GGAT/1990 APR/A4067 SWANSEA VALLEY ROUTE: STAGE 3 PONTARDAWE TO YNYSMEUDWY: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT/GGAT SMR Report Archive 25
03/map/OS/1878

Events :
E001075 : A4067 SWANSEA VALLEY ROUTE PONTARDAWE TO YNYSMEUDWY (year : 1990)
E003883 : A4067/A4217 Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth (year : 1990)
E004170 : Strand Petrol Filling Station (year : 2006-2007)
E005411 : Pont Tywynni Water Works, Glyntawe to Cwmdu Bridge, Ynysmeudwy (year : 2003-2005)
E007471 : Morfa Road, Swansea (year : 2017)
E007585 : Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, Neath Road, Swansea (year : 2018)
E007045 : Swansea North Sub-Station, New Overhead Line (VE), Swansea (year : 2010-12)
E008010 : Jockey Street, Swansea (year : 2016)
E008741 : Kingsway, Swansea (year : 2017)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 34494 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/34494/details
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02641w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00841w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00842w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00843w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00432w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01073.0w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00829w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01073w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02642w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02643w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 2644w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02262.0w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02645w - 2653w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01585w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02992w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02424w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 08221w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 08225w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 08238w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 08245w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 08253w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 08293w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01046.45w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01046.47w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01046.48w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01046.49w

Compiled date : 08-03-1998


April 1, 2025, 12:26 am - HTML file produced from GGAT HER Charitable Trust Ltd. Heathfield House, Heathfield, Swansea SA1 Tel. 01792 655208; Fax 01792 474469 website: www.ggat.org.uk  email: her@ggat.org.uk Registered Charity no. 505609
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