Monument Type(s):

• TRAMWAY (Early 19th century to Early 20th century (pre-war) - 1800 AD to 1913 AD)

Summary

A tramway of 19th century date, running west to east linking the quarries at Whitehaven and the limekilns at Porth-y-waen with Crickheath Wharf on Shropshire Union Canal.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA5079 - 1996-1997 excavation and WB on route of Llanforda to Pant pumping main by SCCAS
• ESA3365 - 1992 evaluation in connection with proposed Pant/ Llanymynech bypass by SCCAS
• ESA4828 - 2002 Stage 1 DBA of Llanymynech - Pant Bypass by ULAS
• ESA6166 - 2002 Stage 2 DBA and walkover survey of Pant - Llanymynech bypass, by ULAS

Description

Just to the south of Llynclys cross-roads, the 1901 edition OS 1:2500 sheet shows a tramway running approximately west to east. The tramway was still in existence in 1926, (1926 edition 1:2500 maps), but by 1949 had disappeared east of Llynclys (1954 edition 1:10560 OS sheet ). The 1993 evaluation report on the proposed A483 Pant/Llanymynech By Pass noted that the preferred route crossed the former tramway at c SJ282 240. The report recommended that a watching brief be maintained at this point. <1>

On the 1901 1:2500 map the tramway runs from an unnamed quarry at Whitehaven, at SJ2687 2423, and some limekilns east of Porth y Waen, at SJ2667 2386, converges at c SJ2709 2415 and runs to Crickheath Wharf at SJ2919 2351, on the Montgomery Canal. <2>

Old tramway. <3>

In 1995 an evaluation was undertaken following proposals to lay a new 350mm pumping main between Llanforda Treatment Works, Oswestry and the Pant Service Reservoir. The line of the proposed water main cut across the 19th –early 20th century tramway at SJ 2812 2399. A watching brief was recommended to monitor the work. <4>

In 1996-7 Severn Trent Engineering installed a new 350mm pumping main between Llanforda Treatment Works, Oswestry and the Pant Service Reservoir. The new main cut across the tramway. Following the stripping of topsoil, the tramway was seen to consist of a low bank of gravel and pebbles 2.6m wide, with a cobble edge a further 0.65m wide along the south-western edge. Two rectangular stone sleeper sets survive in situ. <5>

Updated desk-based assessment (further to <1>) undertaken in 2002 mentions this feature, but provides no further information. <6>

This feature was noted as part of an assessment of the proposed route of the A483 Pant/Llanymynech Bypass in 2002. Shown on 1st edition Ordnance Survey maps running west to east linking the quarries at Whitehaven and the limekilns at Porth-y-waen with Crickheath Wharf on Shropshire Union Canal. <7>

The western end of the tramway has been lost to modern stone quarrying. <8>

A tramroad about four kilometres long, promoted by the Earl of Powis, linke to canal to quarries at Whitehaven (Porth-y-waen). Ploughed up stone-block and tramplate chairs and sleepers attest to its early vintage. The line seems to have been modernised in the 1890s…and was still in use until the First World War. <9>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.