Images of Wales

Tuesday, 3 March 1998

Pont Gyhirych, Breconshire

Photography by John Ball — 1.00 pm, 3 March 1998
(with an Agfa ePhoto307 digital camera)

Pont Gyhirych is a bridge which once carried the old coach road over Nant Gyhirych (Gyhirych Brook) in the lonely mountain pass between Fan Gyhirych and Cefn Cûl. The railway, which ran alongside, is long gone.

Above: The distant Crai Reservoir can just be seen through the mist. The
reservoir holds some of the water reserves for the city of Swansea.

Above: An isolated homestead near Pont Gyhirych. Its outbuildings were once
owned by the Neath & Brecon Railway Company, whose line linked the towns
of Neath (in Glamorgan) and Brecon (in Breconshire).

Above: An old lineside building at Pont Gyhirych, with Crai Reservoir beyond. The
railway (opened 1867) predated the construction of the reservoir by about 35 years.

Above: A distant stream (left) tumbles down the hillside eventually to drain into Crai
Reservoir. Nant Gyhirych (right) also empties into Crai Reservoir. After 24 hours of
rain the brook is now a foaming torrent.

Right: Pont Gyhirych, the bridge which once
carried the old road over Nant Gyhirych.

Above: Pont Gyhirych is supported by these intricate trusses. Sadly, the bridge has
fallen into disrepair and is no longer safe to use. Nant Gyhirych is also spanned by
an earth embankment (left). Originally built to carry the railway line; it now supports
the diverted road. The brook flows through a culvert under the embankment.

Above: The lonely landscape in this isolated spot, today battered by heavy rain
and strong south-westerly winds. The waters of Crai Reservoir are just visible in
the distance.