ROBERTSTOWN BRIDGE 1811 Aberdare, Wales HEW371 SN997 037 N51o 43’ 20.4” W3o 27’ 11.7”
This very early tram bridge now serves as a foot bridge spanning the River Cynon at Robertstown in a sylvan setting only yards from the busy A4059. It was built for the tramway connecting Hirwaun and the Aberdare Canal Company head at Cwmbach. It was built by George Overton of the Abernaut Ironworks. Four arched and trussed cast iron beams spring from continuous cast iron brackets imbedded in the stone abutments. The deck covering the 36’8” span is made up of cast iron plates 9’11” wide. Its configuration and continuous casting is very similar to a now obscure and neglected tram bridge at Blaenavon Forge Side of the same age known as Aaron Brute’s Bridge and to the Rhyd y Car bridge relocated nearby by Joseph Perry birthplace in Merthyr Tydfil.