# Smart's Bridge

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart's_Bridge
> Source revision: 1109376499
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Infobox bridge
|bridge_name = Smart's Bridge
|native_name = 
|native_name_lang = 
|image = Smarts Bridge of 1824, Clydach - geograph - 2648712.jpg
|image_upright = 1.3
|caption = 
|carries=
|crosses=[River Clydach](/source/River_Clydach%2C_Monmouthshire)
|locale=[Llanelly](/source/Llanelly), [Monmouthshire](/source/Monmouthshire), [Wales](/source/Wales)
|id=
|designer = 
|design=
|material=[Cast iron](/source/Cast_iron)
|length={{convert|2.09|m|abbr=on}}
|width=
|height=
|load=
|spans = 1
|pierswater = 
|clearance=
|below=
|traffic=tram (original) / pedestrian
|begin=1824
|complete=1824
|open=
|closed=
|toll=
|coordinates = {{coord|51.8127|-3.1202 |region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|extra =  {{Designation list
  | embed                   = yes
  | designation1            = Grade II* listed building
  | designation1_offname    = Smart's Bridge
  | designation1_type       = 
  | designation1_criteria   = 
  | designation1_date       = 27 July 2000
  | delisted1_date          = 
  | designation1_number     = 23813
  | designation2            = 
  | designation2_offname    = 
  | designation2_type       = 
  | designation2_criteria   = 
  | designation2_date       = 
  | delisted2_date          = 
  | designation2_number     = }}  
}}
'''Smart's Bridge''', [Llanelly](/source/Llanelly), [Monmouthshire](/source/Monmouthshire), is a [cast-iron](/source/cast-iron) bridge situated in [Clydach Gorge](/source/Clydach_Gorge). Constructed in 1824, it gave access to the [Clydach Ironworks](/source/Clydach_Gorge), the most significant industrial enterprise in the gorge. The bridge was designated a [Grade II* listed structure](/source/listed_building) in 2000.

==History==

The Clydach Ironworks were established in 1793 by Edward Frere and Thomas Cooke, on land sublet from the [Duke of Beaufort](/source/Duke_of_Beaufort).<ref name="Cadw">{{Cadw|num=23813 |desc=Smart's Bridge |date=27 July 2000|access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref> By the early 19th century, the works were the major industrial enterprise in the gorge and Smart's Bridge was built in 1824<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Smart's_Bridge |title=Smart's Bridge |publisher=Graces Guide |date=2015-02-05 |accessdate=2017-04-16}}</ref> to give a [tramway](/source/Tramway_(industrial)) link from the works to the [Clydach Railroad](/source/Clydach_Gorge). By the mid 19th century, the firm was heavily in debt, and closed in 1861. The ironworks were bought, firstly, by the Clydach Sheet and Bar Iron Company, and, secondly, by the Brynmawr Coal and Iron Company, and finally closed in 1877.<ref name="Cadw"/>

In 1987, [Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council](/source/Blaenau_Gwent_County_Borough_Council) took responsibility for the site, stabilised the remains, and opened it to the public.<ref name="Cadw"/>

==Architecture and description==

The bridge is a single span, of cast iron, with "[lancet](/source/lancet_arch) [tracery](/source/tracery) in the arch [spandrels](/source/spandrels)."{{sfn|Newman|2000|p=281}} The bridge is constructed on rubble piers and is 2.09 meters in length. The railings are replacements from the 1980s.<ref name="Cadw"/>

==Notes==

{{Reflist}}

== References ==
* {{Cite book
|last=Newman|first=John
|authorlink=John Newman (architectural historian)
|series=The Buildings of Wales
|title=Gwent/Monmouthshire
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=knRf4U60QjcC&dq=The+Buildings+of+Wales%3A+Gwent%2FMonmouthshire&pg=PA2
|year=2000
|publisher=Penguin
|location=London
|isbn=0-14-071053-1
}}

Category:Bridges in Monmouthshire
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Monmouthshire

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Smart's Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart's_Bridge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart's_Bridge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.