History
The region around Merthyr Tydfil was rich in iron ore, coal and limestone, and this combination resulted in a number of industrialists being attracted to the area in the second half of the 18th century. Four major ironworks, Dowlais, Plymouth, Cyfarthfa and Penydarren, began production between 1759 and 1784, but transport of the finished iron was difficult. In 1786, Richard Crawshay and partners took over the lease of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, and soon engaged the canal engineer Thomas Dadford to survey a route for a canal to Cardiff. The survey was paid for by Crawshay and three other Merthyr ironmasters, and was completed in 1789. Having engaged the support of Lord Cardiff, the most powerful landowner in the region, the bill to authorise the canal passed through Parliament without amendment, and the Act of Parliament was granted on 9 June 1790.
Read more about this topic: Glamorganshire Canal
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