Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain/Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal

by Joseph Priestley

BRECKNOCK AND ABERGAVENNY CANAL.

33 George III. Cap. 96, Royal Assent 28th March, 1793.

44 George III. Cap. 29, Royal Assent 3rd May, 1804.

THIS canal commences in the Monmouthshire Canal, about one mile south of the town of Pontypool, and crossing the River Avon by an aqueduct, enters a tunnel of two hundred and twenty yards in length; thence, in a northerly direction, by Mamhilad, Great House, Blaenavon Iron Works, and the town of Abergavenny, to Govilon; where, taking a north-easterly course, and keeping parallel with the Usk River, it proceeds by Daney Park, Llanelly Iron Works, Crickhowel, Peterstone Court, and Tyn Maur, to Brecon, near which town it communicates with the Hay Railway. At Buckland House, it communicates with the Brynoer Tramroad, from the Blaen Rumney Iron Works; and near Crickhowel, several railways extend from it to the extensively worked limestone quarries, collieries and iron works, which abound in that immediate neighbourhood. At the village of Govilon, the Llanfihangel Railroad, passing by the town of Abergavenny, connects with this navigation; and three miles north of Pontypool, it is also joined by the Mamhilad Railway. There is also a railway of one mile and a quarter in length, proceeding from it, across the River Usk, to Llangroiney.

From the junction with the Monmouthshire Navigation, this canal is continued on a level with its summit to Abergavenny, a distance of eleven miles, and maintains the same level three miles and a half further; from thence to its termination at Brecon, is eighteen miles and a half, with a rise of 68 feet; the total length being thirty-three miles.

Mr. T. Dadford, Jun. was the engineer employed on this work, which was executed under the powers of an act, entitled, 'An Act for making and maintaining a navigable Canal from the town of Brecknock to the Monmouthshire Canal, near the town of Pontypool, in the county of Monmouth; and for making and maintaining Railways and Stone Roads to several Iron Works and Mines in the counties of Brecknock and Monmouth.' By this act the subscribers were incorporated by the name of "The Company of Proprietors of the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal Navigation," with power to raise among themselves the sum of £100,000, in one thousand shares of £l00 each, and the additional sum of £50,000, if necessary.

TONNAGE RATES ON THE CANAL.

Iron-stone, Iron-ore, Lead-ore, Coals, Culm, Coaks, Cinders and Charcoal	2d per Ton, per Mile.
Lime, Lime-stone, Tiles, Slate, Bricks, Flag-stones, and other Stones, Clay, Sand, Hay, Straw, and Corn in the Straw, and all Material for the repairing of Roads, and all kinds of Manure	1d ditto. ditto.
Cattle, Sheep, Swine and other Beasts	4d ditto. ditto.

TONNAGE RATES CONTINUED.

Iron and Lead	3d per Ton, per Mile.
Timber, Goods, Wares and Merchandize	4d ditto. ditto.

Fractions to be taken as for a Quarter of a Ton, and as for Half a Mile.

Boats under Twenty Tons lading not to pass any Lock without leave, or without paying for that Tonnage.

RAILROAD DUES.

Every Horse, Mule or Ass	1d each.
Cows and other Cattle	½d each.
Sheep, Swine and Calves	5d per Score.

As the making of this canal would materially increase the value of the shares in the Monmouthshire Canal Navigation, that company agreed to give the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal Proprietors the sum of £3,000; also to take the same tonnage upon their navigation, on all articles conveyed along any part of the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal, as that company were empowered to collect.

In 1804, this company, having expended the money authorized to be raised under the preceding act, applied to parliament and obtained an act to enable them to raise an additional fund to complete their works, entitled, 'An Act for enabling the Company of Proprietors of the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal to raise a further Sum of Money for completing the said Canal, and the Works thereto belonging; and for altering and enlarging the Powers of an Act made in the Thirty-third Year of his present Majesty, for making the said Canal.'

As this canal skirts the rich mineral districts of Monmouth and Glamorgan, and has a direct communication with the Bristol Channel, by means of the Monmouthshire Canal, every facility is afforded for the export of its valuable productions, which was the ostensible object of its promoters.