Guardian Lantern Festival

Maesycwmmer Viaduct

Maesycwmmer Viaduct

The South Wales Valleys created great challenges for the railway builders. Trains prefer relatively flat ground. There is very little in this area, hence most tracks travelled south along the valley bottoms  allowing trains to carry coal and iron ore to Newport and Cardiff docks for export or shipping inland up the river Severn.

To cross the valleys, it was common to build magnificent stone viaducts. Many have been removed and the stone used for churches, local housing, or even garden walls. But a few still remain.

Used now mostly as cycle paths and walkways they should provide breathtaking views. Unfortunately, many, due to health and safety have barriers preventing people (especially the vertically challenged, such as myself) from admiring them.

A bench in honour of the cartoonist Gren who published for many years in the Western Mail

Talywain viaduct forms part of the pathway from Blaenavon to Cwmbran.

Maesycwmmer viaduct sits alongside a busy road, but mostly ignored except for those using it to access the railway station on the opposite side. The pathway has now been named Gren's Way.

Probably the most talked of viaduct was the steel construction at Crumlin. This village is still a major crossroads in the valleys, but the only evidence of this phenomenal structure are the stone abutments visible high up the valley wall.

Crumlin viaduct

Another rail track used to travel through the valley bottom with a vertiginous link between the two systems. Trains progressing up this track often required an extra engine attached to provide extra push.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maesycwmmer


Images of Maesycwmmer Viaduct

Cwmcarn Forest Drive, South Wales

This fabulous woodland drive which allowed visitors spectacular views over the Bristol Channel and the Brecon Beacons closed at the end of October 2014 and may never fully re-open. The recent closure will prevent access to woodland glades, picnic spaces with vast horizons, an easy access to Twmbarlwm hill fort and much much more.

The cycling routes will still be available, as will some of the many walking paths, camp site, camping pods and visitor centre, but the single-track roadway will be closed to enable the Forestry Commission to remove hundreds, maybe thousands of diseased larch trees.

A view towards the Bristol Channel on a hazy October day

Whether this route will every reopen is in doubt as I write this.

Cwmcarn Forest Drive extends for 7 miles and was first opened in 1972 on the former site of Cwmcarn colliery.

Cwmcarn Forest Visitor Centre

Meals and snacks are available at Ravens Cafe which is very popular during school holidays. There is also a gift shop, information, toilets and showers. Open seven days a week 9-5 (4.30 on Fridays and off peak).  Tel: 01495 272001

e-mail:  cwmcarn-vc@caerphilly.gov.uk

Whilst the extensive views over the Brecon Beacons and the Bristol Channel are closed, it is still well worth visiting Cwmcarn Forest for the deciduous trees, fast flowing streams and beautiful scenery. The cafe and gift shop provide interesting gifts and tasty snacks and meals.

We all hope these views will be available again soon, and the woodland will be replanted.