Hill's Tramroad tunnel, Pwll Du ? 1968
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Hill's Tramroad tunnel, Pwll Du ? 1968 by Alan Murray-Rust as part of the Geograph project.
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Hill's Tramroad tunnel, Pwll Du ? 1968
Image: © Alan Murray-Rust Taken: 30 Dec 1967
The western portal of the original two portals at Pwll Du. The tunnel was opened in 1817 to bring coal and limestone from mines on the northern side of the ridge behind Blaenavon to the ironworks. Based on an existing coal mine tunnel, it was 1870 metres in length and was the longest horse drawn tramroad tunnel in the world. The tramway also continued down the north side of the ridge to the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal at Llanfoist enabling finished good from the ironworks to be conveyed to the coast at Newport. Following the development of the railway system which took over the carriage of coal and iron, the tramway remained in use for the transport of limestone to the works until as late as 1926, although by this stage with rope haulage powered by stationary steam engines. The tunnel mouth and immediate surrounds were designated as a scheduled monument in 1994.
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Image Location
Latitude
51.798653
Longitude
-3.095819