Nightingales Bush fragment of the Glamorganshire Canal in Pontypridd

Image: © Jaggery Taken: 8 Mar 2015

The Pontypridd Canal Conservation Group website states that The Glamorganshire Canal and its importance for the establishment of the Newbridge Cable and Anchor works (Brown Lenox) are well documented. The canal provided a means of transport for raw materials and products which continued into the 20th century. The works was served by two docks for canal boats, the lower dock connecting with the canal basin below the Ynysangharad locks. The Bunch of Grapes Inn http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4378195 served the area in the 19th century and is still in business. The use of the canal for Brown Lenox products ceased well before the closure of the canal for commercial transport in 1942. From 1915, when the canal was breached at Cilfynydd, operations had been limited to shipments between Pontypridd and Cardiff. At the end, the transport of flour to the Hopkin Morgan bakery at Trallwn was the principal local traffic. Following closure, the canal deteriorated rapidly. At the Trallwn wharf the filled-in canal was used by W. Davies, local builders merchants. Lock gates were removed from most parts of the canal but there is anecdotal evidence of the gates at the Ynysangharad locks being retained for a period to provide containment for water used by Brown Lenox. In 2015, the canal is a surface water drain. Water flows into the River Taff at the weirs at Coedpenmaen and here at Nightingales Bush.

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