Historic Pont-Y-Cafnau Bridge gets new lease on life as major restoration begins

Crews have begun the long-awaited restoration of Pont-Y-Cafnau bridge, a remarkable piece of industrial heritage that has stood as a testament to Welsh ingenuity for over two centuries. These works, commencing Monday 4 August, are scheduled to complete by Autumn 2025.

The ambitious project, backed by a £4.5 million joint investment from the Welsh Government through Cadw and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, marks the beginning of a new chapter for what's believed to be the world's oldest surviving iron railway bridge.

Built in 1793 by the pioneering Cyfarthfa Ironworks Company, this isn't just any bridge – it's a marvel of engineering that carried both water and a tramroad across the River Taff, featuring an ingenious three-tier design that showcases the innovative spirit of Wales' industrial revolution.

Cllr David Jones, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Communities said:
"This is more than just restoration work – it's about bringing a piece of our industrial soul back to life. 

“Pont-Y-Cafnau represents the very best of Welsh engineering heritage, and seeing it restored to its former glory will be something truly special for our community and visitors alike."

The bridge, which has been closed to the public and secured with safety fencing, will undergo essential repairs designed to bring it back into public use. The restoration work, set to run through autumn, will focus on the structural elements needed to ensure this historic gem can be safely enjoyed by future generations.

What makes Pont-Y-Cafnau so special? Its unique design featured an upper water channel, a middle tramroad deck, and a lower water channel – a three-story engineering solution that perfectly captured the practical innovation of the era. The bridge's significance has been recognised with both Grade II* listing and Scheduled Monument status, cementing its place as one of Wales' most important industrial heritage sites.

The restoration forms part of a broader £4.5 million heritage project that will also enable improvements to the Grade I Listed Cyfarthfa Castle, creating a comprehensive approach to preserving this remarkable corner of Welsh history.

As work begins today, the project represents more than just structural repairs – it's an investment in community pride, tourism potential, and the preservation of a unique piece of world heritage that happened to be born right here in Merthyr Tydfil.