21946

 

II  

Designated  

24/06/1999  

24/06/1999  

Hollybush Bridge over the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (partly in Bettws Community)  

 

Newport  

Malpas  

 

Malpas  

330092  

190553  

W  

Situated W of Hollybush Close, with recreation fields to the W. Bridge carries footpath to Hollybush Close and surrounding houses.  

Transport  

 

The eastern branch of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal was authorised by Act of Parliament in 1792, and officially opened in 1799. It ran from Newport to Pontnewynydd and was engineered by Thomas Dadford Jnr. The canal connected with several tramroads belonging to the same company (Monmouthshire Canal Navigation Company), carrying coal down to the wharves. The branch was 11 miles (18.6 kilometres) long and rose 447 feet (136 metres) through 42 locks. The contemporary western branch, 12 miles (20.3 kilometres) long, ran to Crumlin. In 1812, the eastern branch was connected to the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal at Pontymoile Basin, and this became the main line. In 1853-55, the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company built a railway down to Newport, the company amalgamating with the Great Western Railway in 1880. The canal then became increasingly disused. The Crumlin branch closed in 1949, the main line in 1962.  

Single-arch bridge of rubble construction. Semi-elliptical arch with stone voussoirs. Parapet ramped up to centre, and splayed out to square piers on W side (SW pier repaired in brick and stone). Cemented copings. Iron plate to S side: ‘ Hollybush No. 28 Bridge. Bridge carries footpath to houses to E. Towing path runs underneath bridge on W.  

 

Listed as a significant element of the engineering works associated with the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.