South Wales Developments, early 1900s

The turn of the nineteenth/twentieth century saw vast changes and developments not only in the Valleys of South Wales Valleys but in South Wales generally.  The area was a hub for the world's  industrial revolution, with Cardiff the largest coal exporting port in the world. Here are a few places which opened around that time….

The University of Wales in Newport was opened in 1893, 
the National Museum of Wales in 1908, 
and the National Library in 1909.  

Most importantly Wales saw victory over the All Blacks on 16 December 1905.

Newport and its docks expanded greatly around this time, due to the exportation of coal and iron carried down from the valleys by canal, and railway.

The unusual Newport transporter bridge was opened in 1906 by Lord Tredegar.   This bridge, now one of only six still working, in the world, crosses the river Usk and was designed by F. Arnodin, a Frenchman.   To avoid obstructing the once busy shipping lanes, the gondola, which carries passengers and traffic from bank to bank, is suspended on a steel structure high above the river banks.   The height above the river level may, at first, appear excessive, but this river boasts one of the highest tides in the country.

Closed in 2008, a £1.2 million restoration saw the bridge reopened on 30 July 2010 and although only open for 193 days during the next year, 40,000 crossings were recorded by pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and vehicles. 

Now a tourist attraction rather than part of the highways, it is not open daily. Check for details before visiting.  On special days you can walk up over the top of the bridge as well as travel across in he gondola.
   

Ernest Thompson Willows (1896-1926), designed a way of powering and steering hot air balloons using propellers.    Born in Cardiff, he made his first flight in 1905. In 1910 he was the first person to fly across the English Channel, from London to Paris.   Regrettably, but perhaps inevitably, this pioneering welshman died in 1926 pursuing his love of ballooning.

Railway through Llanhilleth

1906 saw the Great Western Railway (GWR) complete a rail link from London to Fishguard  on the west coast, enabling the shortest sea passage across to Ireland.   GWR had taken over the line in 1880.    Transport became key both to move coal to the docks and steel works, and steel to the docks.   South Wales provided metal track for railways being built across India and the world. 

In 1907 the Great Western Railway directors approved plans for a Goods Shed and Sidings for Llanhilleth Station.

The passenger line through Llanhilleth was later closed in April 1962 as part of devastating Government rail closures throughout the UK.   These were known as the “Beeching cuts” after the Transport minister at the time, Dr Richard Beeching.  
 

Gradually the railways are being reinstated to the valleys and Llanhilleth once again has a station providing access to Ebbw Vale Parkway, Cardiff and Swansea.