HER 434 DESCRIPTION:- Scheduled Monument Description:- Lydney was one of the two main ports for the Forest of Dean and when the ancient harbour was adversely affected by changes in the course of the River Severn. The Lydney and Lydbrook Tramway, the principal user, cut a new channel to the river in 1813. The channel was in the form of a canal almost one mile in length and a tidal basin was added at its entrance in 1821 - the whole being known as Lydney Harbour. The scheduling however only applies to the extreme eastern end of the harbour - that portion to the east of, and including, the swing bridge at SO 647 013. The swing bridge itself is basically of the 'Rennie' pattern but with its main member of metal and with a wheeled bearing rather than a ball race. In the main canal section there are remains of three coal chutes of varying types, each with traces of their turntable recesses. Also included is the large sluice on the southern embankment with its track above, several bollards and a disused limekiln. The fittings of basin are of traditional type though some are modern replacements (c.1965). There are two hand capstans and an attractive harbour light. {Source Work 2873.} The portion of the harbour E of & including the swing bridge at SO647013 is scheduled as 'Lydney Harbour'. {Source Work 862.} Lydney was Bullo Pill's main rival as port to the Forest of Dean. The ancient harbour at Lydney was adversely affected by changes in the course of the River Severn and eventually the Lydney and Lydbrook Tramway cut a new canal to the river in 1813. A tidal basin was added in 1821 and this with the lower section of the canal, almost a mile in length, comprise the present harbour. Apart from the locks, which are still in use, there are the masonry foundations of coal shutes on the southern bank, a hand operated swing bridge and harbour and shipyard office SO652013-SO635018. {Source Work 862.} Ironmasters in the late 18th century cut a canal from Middle Forge (SMR 5657) to Lydney Pill and from 1810 the Lydney and Lydbrook Tramroad (SMR 5701) developed Lydney as a port, cutting a new canal to the river in 1813 to avoid the shallow pill. In 1821 a tidal basin was added and Lydney became the Forest's timber and coal port. After the First World War the coal was gradually worked out and some of the harbour equipment was removed. In 1947 the remaining collieries were nationalised and gradually run down as the last of the industrial coal was extracted. In 1960 the dockside railway was finally lifted, and now only barges use the harbour, bringing timber to the Pine End veneer factory. Here during the last war were made the components for Mosquito aircraft and for Horsa & Hamilcar gliders. On the banks of the Severn are to be seen the grounded hulks of Severn trows, all rapidly disintegrating. Scanty remains of the the harbour's nine coal chutes are located on the north side while on the south side are the Shipyard Offices (now the Lydney Yacht Club HQ) and limekiln. {Source Work 79.} Only known example of upper Severn trow. Combination of carvel and clinker construction. Trows used to carry products from Ironbridge down the river Severn during the 18th and early 19th century. River transport declined after the 1850s with coming of railways. Lydney Trow remains in the river bank at Lydney, breaking up rapidly and unlikely to survive for long. {Source Work 709.} Shown on 1st, 2nd and 3rd series OS 25" maps. {Source Works 5134, 5136 & 5138.} Shown on 1839 tithe map. {Source Work 6634.} 1975 - Lydney Harbour visible on Clyde (Fairey?) aerial photograph. {Source Work 615.} 1985 - Severn Trent WA looking for syndicate to develop docks. {Source Work 3837.} 1997 - (SMR 434/7) Early 19th century lime kiln. The canal and harbour comprising Lydney Harbour were constructed between 1813 and 1821 and the kiln probably dates for the same period. It is situated on the northern side of the canal at its eastern end. The kiln is built of coarsed stone with quoins to all four corners and a slab coping around the top. The segmental draw arch of dressed voussoirs is now largely backfilled with soil. The four shadows of two different shelters are visible on the face. A charging ramp of similar construction slopes up to the east side of the kiln - an unusual feature for a single kiln of this size. The pot could not be accessed. The top and sides of both structures are covered with ivy and the ramp is beginning to collapse. There are several single storey stone and brick buildings to the east which may have been associated. {Source Work 4955.} See below for comments on the limekiln in the MPP Step 3 report {Source Work 4955} and Step 4 report {Source Work 6497} and for comments on Lydney Docks and Harbour from English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register 2002 and 2004. {Source Work 7028 and 7867.} 1997 - English Heritage's Monument Protection Programme (MPP) Step 3 report stated that this is a well preserved kiln forming part of an early 19th century dockyard complex. The masonry charging ramp is an uncommon feature for a single kiln of this size. It is of individual national importance and of clear national importance within its context. The report confirmed that scheduling should be maintained. Although the site is under no apparent threat, the ivy should be cleared, the collapsed section of ramp rebuilt and the kiln repointed. {Source Work 4955.} 2001 - MPP Step 4 report recommended that the scheduled status for this limekiln was still valid {Source Work 6497.} 2002 - English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register 2002 states that Lydney Docks and Harbour has a priority C listing (4 'hard hats'), indicating slow decay with no solution agreed. {Source Work 7028.} 2002 - Building placed on Buildings at Risk Register. The dock and harbour date from c1810-1821 and was once the main commercial port serving the industrial developments in the Forest of Dean. The closure of the collieries in the 1920's saw trade at the docks decline and eventually end, in the 1960's, with the closure of the railway that served them. The docks are currently in need of repair and reinvestment. The Lydney Dock Partnership consists of representatives from the Environment Agency, the Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Development Agency, Lydney Town Council and English Heritage, who are working together to secure the long-term future of the dock. A bid has been successfully submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in order that the restoration of the docks, new flood defences and a small marina can be built. Interpretative materials detainling the hostory of the dock and improved public access will be part of the scheme {Source Work 7290}. 2002 - The site forms part of the canal and basin complex built by the Seven and Wye Railway and Canal Company between 1810 and 1813. It covers the area between the swing bridge and the tidal lock into the Severn estuary. Because the last major alterations to the fabric took place in the 1870s, the docks have remained as an example of a 19th century harbour unchanged by the developments that took place at Gloucester or at Sharpness on the opposite bank. Excellent documentary material provides a background to the building, running and remodelling of the harbour, and enough maps, drawings and charts have survived to portray the way the docks worked in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The site is chiefly vulnerable because of a lack of understanding. The loss of many of the above ground features and the mutilation of others has led to the assumption that there is little there worth preserving. However, there is a wealth of below ground archaeology and other features are still being discovered. In the light of these possibilities, careful archaeological investigation and recording will be required at all stages of the work to ensure that none of this evidence is lost. The fabric of the canal and basins, of the bases of the tips and of the standing structures will be repaired, and, where appropriate, reinstated. {Source Work 9561.} 2002 - Babtie Brown and Root were commissioned to undertake geotechnical ground investigations as part of the Lydney Harbour Regeneration Scheme, which involved trial pit excavation and bore hole drilling. An archaeological watching brief was carried out during groundworks within and adjacent to the Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM 474). Thirty-three trial pits and thirty-three boreholes were excavated across the site. The trial pits were excavated down to the first archaeological horizon, after which they were excavated archaeologically to the first significant deposit, which were left in situ, or the natural substrate was revealed. The report states that the trial pits were excavated to a depth of up to 1.2m, where archaeological features were encountered, and 2.3m where there was no archaeology. The trial pits recorded the harbour wall construction from limestone blocks, reinforced with lime based concrete. The limestone walls and flagstone floors of the Clay Warehouse were also identified and a number of external garden features associated with the harbour master's house and warehouse were also recorded. {Source Work 7249.} 2004 - Buildings at Risk Register 2004 indicates that a repair scheme is in progress and (where applicable) end use or user identified; functionally redundant buildings with new use agreed but not yet implemented. {Source Work 7867.} 2004 - Not on the Forest of Dean District Council Building at Risk Register. {Source Work 8034.} 2003 - 2004 - The watching-brief provided an interesting insight into the methods of construction of the harbour, its phasing and the survival and location of various demolished dockside structures. As well as the substantial remains of dockside buildings such as the Lock Keeper’s Cottage and the Clay Warehouse, some of which were only relatively recently lost, a number of peripheral features were also recorded. These included the remnants of some of the tramway tracks and quays within the harbour area well as the phasing of the harbour’s construction. In addition the works provided the opportunity to further research the historic background which provides the context to the site’s industrial archaeology. This included the opportunity to match the cartographic and documentary history of the site with the structural evidence of the docks. In archaeological terms, the harbour has a relatively short life-span, but with a number of significant and complicated phases of use and rebuilding. The watching brief was also significant in allowing the inclusion of an archaeological input into the on-going design process. This practice, together with the contributions of archaeologists from Gloucestershire County Council and English Heritage, allowed many of the remains uncovered to be preserved in situ. The archaeological watching-brief provided the opportunity to record a number of structures, which no longer survived above-ground or were not generally visible whilst the harbour contained water. It also indicated the possibility that many more archaeological features are likely to remain to be recorded within the boundary of the SAM. {Source Work 9568.} 2006 - Buildings at Risk Register 2006 indicates that a repair scheme is in progress and (where applicable) end use or user identified; functionally redundant buildings with new use agreed but not yet implemented. {Source Work 8670.} 2007 - An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Gloucestershire County Council Archaeology Service on 13-14/09/2007 in connection with groundworks associated with the installation of health and safety features such as bollards, signs and lifebuoys. No finds or features of archaeological significance were observed. The site archive will be deposited with Dean Heritage Centre. {Source Work 9082.} 2008 - The docks and harbour date from about 1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. Outer basin now repaired with surrounding area used for recreation, however the Inner Basin still in poor condition. A recent application for a Hetitage Lottery Fund Living Landmarks grant was rejected. The future use of the site is currently being reassessed by local partnership group. {Source Work 9555.} 2012 - The docks and harbour date from about 1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. Outer basin now repaired with surrounding area used for recreation, however the Inner Basin is still in poor condition {Source Work 12713.} 2014 - Watching Brief undertaken during works at the Sea Gates, Lydney Harbour, Lydney. No buried archaeological horizons were recorded during the course of the watching brief, other than 19th and 20th century alterations to the original harbour walls. {Source Work 17645.} Heritage at Risk Register 2015 The docks and harbour date from about 1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The docks area has public access and is used for recreation. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency is looking at options for its future {Source Work 13737.} Heritage at Risk Register 2016 The docks and harbour date from about 1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The docks area has public access and is used for recreation. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency has been tasked by Government to dispose of the site and are currently looking at a range of options to achieve this {Source Work 14393.} Heritage at Risk Register 2017 The docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The docks area has public access and is used for recreation. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency has advertised the site and selected a preferred bidder to take over the ownership of the site. The final details of this sale are still being resolved. The EA alongside the Local Authority have repaired the swing bridge in 2017. Work has also been on-going to clear and control vegetation on the site {Source Work 14868.} 2017 - A heritage impact assessment was undertaken by Lydney Coastal Community Team to inform the delivery of the Lydney Eyes Right project which aims to attract increased visitor numbers to discover the harbour and docks, through improvement to the public realm, facilities, access, interpretation and a programme for the phased dredging of the Upper Harbour and the canal, in order to provide better facilities for boat users. Details of buildings and structures are included in the report, however their locations are not mapped so haven't been added to the Scheduled Monument record {Source Work 14872.} Heritage at Risk Register 2018 The docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency has advertised the site and selected a preferred bidder to take over the ownership of the site. The final details of this sale are still being resolved. A local partnership group through the Local Authority are looking for funding to repair some structures and enhance the visitor experience of the site. Work has also been on-going to clear and control vegetation on the site {Source Work 15524.} Heritage at Risk Register 2019 The docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency has advertised the site and selected a preferred bidder to take over the ownership of the site. The final details of this sale are still being resolved. A local partnership group through the Local Authority are looking for funding to repair some structures and enhance the visitor experience of the site. Work has also been on-going to clear and control vegetation on the site {Source Work 16466.} Heritage at Risk Register 2020 The docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency has advertised the site and selected a preferred bidder to take over the ownership of the site. The final details of this sale are still being resolved. A local partnership group through the Local Authority are looking for funding to repair some structures and enhance the visitor experience of the site. Work has also been on-going to clear and control vegetation on the site {Source Work 17056.} Heritage at Risk Register 2021 The docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency has advertised the site and selected a preferred bidder to take over the ownership of the site. The final details of this sale are still being resolved. A local partnership group through the Local Authority are looking for funding to repair some structures and enhance the visitor experience of the site. Work has also been on-going to clear and control vegetation on the site {Source Work 17405.} 2021 - Evaluation carried out at Lydney Harbour, Lydney, in relation to the proposed installation of two artworks. The work consisted of two trenches of 2m x 1m. The earliest deposits in both trenches appeared to be construction deposits relating to the excavation of the harbour basin. Trench two also contained deposits of coal fines believed to relate to the export of coal from the harbour, as well as 19th and 2th century material. {Source Work 17410.} Heritage at Risk Register 2022 The docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency has advertised the site and selected a preferred bidder to take over the ownership of the site. The final details of this sale are still being resolved. A local partnership group through the Local Authority are looking for funding to repair some structures and enhance the visitor experience of the site. Work has also been on-going to clear and control vegetation on the site {Source Work 17931.} Heritage at Risk Register 2023 The docks and harbour date from c1810 to 1821 and were once the main commercial port serving industry in the district. The Inner Basin is still in poor condition and needs extensive repairs. The Environment Agency has advertised the site and selected a preferred bidder to take over the ownership of the site. The final details of this sale are still being resolved. A local partnership group through the Local Authority are looking for funding to repair some structures and enhance the visitor experience of the site. Work has also been on-going to clear and control vegetation on the site {Source Work 18159.} |