:Old Bridge, Pontypridd

File:New Bridge, or Pont-Y-Prydd, Glamorganshire.jpeg

In the early 18th century Pontypridd, then known as {{lang|cy|Pont-y-tŷ-pridd}} ('The bridge of the earthen house'),{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/whatsinaname/sites/placenames/pages/pontypridd.shtml |publisher=BBC |title=Pontypridd |access-date=19 January 2009 }} was a tiny hamlet.{{cite DWB |id=s-EDWA-WIL-1719 |title=Edwards, William (1719–1789), Independent minister, and architect |access-date=17 January 2009 }} {{lang|cy|Pont-y-tŷ-pridd|italic=no}} took its name from the original bridge of the same name, however very little is known of that ancient ford with stepping stones, which ran alongside the current Old Bridge, and was used only when the river ran low. Possibly in 1744 or after the bridge was built, {{lang|cy|Pont-y-tŷ-pridd|italic=no}} became known as Newbridge or New Bridge after the William Edwards Bridge.{{cite web |url=http://www.southwalespolicemuseum.org.uk/en/content/cms/visit_the_archives/policing_pontypridd_/policing_pontypridd_.aspx |publisher=South Wales Police |title=Policing Pontypridd in the 1850s |access-date=22 February 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.therhondda.co.uk/general/ystradyfodwg.html |publisher=GJR Williams |title=The Parish of Ystradyfodwg, by Benjamin Heath Malkin |access-date=17 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516214738/http://www.therhondda.co.uk/general/ystradyfodwg.html |archive-date=16 May 2008 }} By 1856, Newbridge had been renamed Pontypridd.{{cite web |url=http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/small/item/GTJ69047/ |publisher=Culturenet Cymru |title=Charles Bassett, the first Chairman and founder of the Pontypridd Market Company, c. 1856 |access-date=17 January 2009 }}

In 1746 when William Edwards was just 27 years of age,{{cite book |last=Ruddock |first=Ted |title=Arch Bridges and their Builders 1735–1835 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=amQ9AAAAIAAJ&q=The+Theory+of+Arches+and+Pontypridd'&pg=PA46 |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-09021-6 |year=2008 |chapter=Chapter 5: "The Theory of Arches and Pontypridd" |access-date=19 January 2009 }} he was commissioned by the Hundreds of Miskin and Caerphilly to build a three-arch bridge across the River Taff.{{cite book |last=Colvin |first=Howard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CSyaO-MqYoAC&q=%22is+celebrated+as+a+bridge-builder+in+south+wales%22&pg=PA347 |publisher=Yale University Press |title=A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600–1840 |edition=Fourth |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-300-12508-5 |pages=347–348 |access-date=17 January 2009 }} For this he was paid £500, on condition that he would maintain it for seven years.

The first bridge to be constructed was a three-arch stone bridge, which was built in 1746. It was destroyed by a heavy storm which caused the River Taff to flood about two years later.{{cite book|last=Skempton|first=A. W.|author2=Mike Chrimes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jeOMfpYMOtYC&q=%22cylinderical+void+bridge%22&pg=PA210|publisher=Thomas Telford|title=A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: 1500 to 1830|year=2002|isbn=0-7277-2939-X|pages=211–212}} A large amount of debris came down the river, which then become trapped against the two abutments supporting the bridge. The weight and force of the debris ultimately destroyed the bridge, which was then swept away down the river.

After the destruction of the first bridge over the fast-flowing River Taff, Edwards designed a more radical {{convert|140|ft|m|abbr=on}} single-arch bridge that would eliminate the possibility of debris destroying the bridge due to the flooding of the River Taff. The second bridge was built from 1748, however two reports differ as to what actually happened during this second attempt. Thomas Morgan, a contemporary of Edwards, said that "…when he (Edwards) had almost finished the arch, the centre timber work gave way and all fell to the bottom." However, The National Library of Wales has a contemporary work known as the Plasybrain manuscript which says, "Just after the first single arch was finished and before the centre was struck, a flood came and carried all away." It is not clear which account is accurate, although it is clear that the attempt failed.

The single-arch bridge was rebuilt and was completed. It stood for about six weeks before it failed again. The weight of the materials in the bridge was not balanced on either side of the keystone, which gradually forced the stone out of position as traffic on the bridge created small vibrations and movement, and the bridge collapsed. In the Theory of Arches and Pontypridd, it states that "the weight of the bridge was either too great on the haunches or too little on the crown." At this stage Edwards was either encouraged or forced to try again with extra money being provided to cover his losses for the earlier attempts.

File:A remarkable bridge at Pentytypridd in Glamorganshire.jpeg

The final design of the bridge included three cylindrical voids (holes) of {{convert|2.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}, {{convert|1.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} on each side on the bridge.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vSZAnyWpzDcC&q=The+Theory+of+Arches+and+Pontypridd'&pg=PA65|publisher=Thomas Telford|title=Three-dimensional centrifuge test of Pontypridd Bridge|year=2000|isbn=9780727728548}} This reduced the weight and pressure on the crown and the bridge is still in operation today, although it is now only used for foot traffic. The Theory of Arches and Pontypridd states that as a bridge for commerce, it was a failure, as it was "only eleven feet wide between the parapets and so steep that wagons had to use a 'chain and drag' to descend from the crown."

The 140 ft Old Bridge surpassed the {{convert|130|ft|m|abbr=on}} Old Walton Bridge as the longest single-span bridge in Great Britain and remained the longest bridge for another 40 years.Skempton pp. 217–218 It was also one of the few bridges in Europe at the time, and indeed worldwide, whose span exceeded the 40 m mark.

The whole project (including the three failed attempts) cost Edwards a total of £1,153 18s. 2d. (approximately £1,153.91), and consequently his loss exceeded £600. It was reported that Edwards' attempts to build the bridge over the River Taff left him in considerable debt; Thomas Morgan reported that "…the mason was considerably in debt and greatly discouraged. But the Lords Talbot and Windsor, who have estates in the neighbourhood, pitied his case, and being willing to encourage such an enterprising genius, most generously promoted a subscription among the gentry in those parts."

File:The Old Bridge and Victoria Bridge, Pontypridd.jpg

The Old Bridge was so steep that horse carts had difficulty crossing it. By 1857, a new bridge, the Victoria Bridge, was built next to the Old Bridge, which was paid for by the people of Pontypridd.{{cite web|url=http://pont-mbale.org.uk/About_us-pontypridd.htm|publisher=Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust|title=Pontypridd Town|access-date=15 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107102250/http://www.pont-mbale.org.uk/About_us-pontypridd.htm|archive-date=7 January 2009|url-status=dead}} The Victoria Bridge is a three-arch bridge, built by Thomas Jenkins, that did not have a problem with roadway steepness.{{cite web|url=http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/small/item/GTJ01254/|publisher=Culturenet Cymru|title='New' road bridge alongside William Edwards' 18th century single span bridge, Pontypridd|access-date=16 January 2009}}

Since the bridge was opened in 1756, it has been the subject for many landscape artists, including Richard Wilson and Turner.{{cite web|url=http://www.pontypriddtowncouncil.org.uk/server.php?id=history-of-pontypridd|publisher=Pontypridd Town Council|title=History of Pontypridd|access-date=27 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303040054/http://www.pontypriddtowncouncil.org.uk/server.php?id=history-of-pontypridd|archive-date=3 March 2012|url-status=dead}}

The Old Bridge is now a scheduled monument and is also depicted in emblems of local sport teams, including Pontypridd F.C. Pontypridd RFC and Cilfynydd RFC. Artist Lulu Quinn was commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to illuminate the Old Bridge as part of a regeneration programme for Pontypridd called the Monument Illumination Scheme.{{cite web|url=http://www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/hcst/content.hcst?lang=en&textonly=&dDocName=024077|publisher=Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council|title=Pontypridd Landmarks Illuminated|access-date=27 May 2009}}{{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Initial tests to illuminate the bridge took place on 19 August 2008,{{cite web|url= http://www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/hcst/content.hcst?lang=en&textonly=on&dDocName=020914|publisher=Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council|title=Pontypridd in Lights|access-date=15 February 2009}}{{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} and the project was officially launched after successful testing.

File:Pontypridd RFC crest.jpg displays an image of the Old Bridge with its cylindrical voids (holes)]]

Representations of Old Bridge can be seen in local heraldic and civic stationery, including the crest of Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, Pontypridd Football Club and Cilfynydd Rugby Football Club.{{cite web|url=http://www.ponty.net/a-quick-guide|publisher=Ponty Rugby Ltd|title=A quick guide Introduction|access-date=20 July 2009}} The community-to-community organisation PONT (Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust), also bases its logo upon the Bridge.{{cite web|url=http://pont-mbale.org.uk|publisher=PONT (Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust)|title=PONT – a partnership to fight poverty|access-date=22 October 2009}} Pontypridd High School in Cilfynydd incorporates the bridge design into the school shield,{{cite web|url=http://www.pontypriddhighschool.co.uk/|publisher=Pontypridd High School|title=Pontypridd High School|access-date=20 July 2009}} as does Pontypridd Town Council with its logo representing the South Wales Valleys and a section of the Old Bridge in the foreground.{{cite web|url=http://www.pontypriddtowncouncil.org.uk/server.php?id=home|publisher=Pontypridd Town Council|title=Pontypridd Town Council – Putting Pride into Pontypridd|access-date=20 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226184706/http://www.pontypriddtowncouncil.org.uk/server.php?id=home|archive-date=26 December 2008|url-status=dead}} Pontypridd Male Voice Choir also incorporates the Old Bridge in the choir logo.{{cite web|url=http://www.malechoir.com/|publisher=Pontypridd Male Voice Choir|title=Pontypridd Male Voice Choir}}

• List of bridges in Wales
• Old Bridge for other bridges with the same name.

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{{commons category|Old Bridge, Pontypridd}}

• [http://www.atypon-link.com/TELF/doi/pdf/10.1680/bren.158.2.71.65906 A paper by T G Hughes MSc, PhD, CEng, FICE celebrating the 250th anniversary of the construction of the William Edwards Bridge, Pontypridd, UK]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• [https://books.google.com/books?id=amQ9AAAAIAAJ&dq=The+Theory+of+Arches+and+Pontypridd'&pg=PA46 The Theory of Arches and Pontypridd]
• [https://books.google.com/books?id=vSZAnyWpzDcC&dq=The+Theory+of+Arches+and+Pontypridd'&pg=PA63 Three-dimensional centrifuge test of Pontypridd Bridge]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110718143824/http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/heritagetrail/big_anthem_fawr/old_bridge_history.htm The History of the Old Bridge]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110714024523/http://www.malechoir.com/pontypridd.htm Pontypridd Male Voice Choir – About Pontypridd]

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Category:Bridges completed in 1756

Category:Arch bridges in the United Kingdom

Category:Bridges in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Category:Grade I listed buildings in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Category:Stone bridges in the United Kingdom

Category:Pedestrian bridges in Wales

Category:Scheduled monuments in Wales

Category:Pontypridd

Category:Grade I listed bridges in Wales

Category:Bridges over the River Taff