Canals
The physical features of
the Rhondda Valleys discouraged the construction
of canals as there would have been the necessity
of construction far too many locks in relation
tom the mileage. Clause 57 of the Glamorgan
Canal Navigation Act stated
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... that any proprietor
of any mine lying within four miles
of any part of the canal may make
lateral cuts or railways across the
grounds of any other person fore the
value of the land so taken.'...
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Two of the early owners
of the Glamorgan Canal Company were Dr. Richard
Griffiths and Jeremiah Homfray and they realised
that it would be an easy matter to link up
any mining enterprise begun in the Lower Rhondda
to the canal at Treforest by a few miles of
tramroad.
In September 1809 the first tramroad was completed
from Hafod Level to the canal. In 1810 Walter
Coffin completed a tramroad which connected
Dinas Levels to the canal. The coal was conveyed
in small trams, each carrying about 2.5 tons
[2540 kilograms]. A team of 4 horses could
draw about 15 trams with ease [a total of
about 37.5 tons or 38,100 kilograms].
Prior to the opening of the Taff Vale Railway
to Eirw in 1841, the Dinas Tramroad served
a twofold purpose. It primary use was the
conveyance of coal to the barges on the Glamorgan
Canal. On the return, empty, journey was used
to conveyed goods and provision into the Lower
Rhondda.
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