Third Attempt!

 

 

Repeating message after posting rejected for having attachments.  

 

I am forwarding a response that I have had.  I leave it to others to verify
the accuracy (and completeness) of the reports on which they are relying,
something for which archaeological colleagues are much more qualified than I
am.  Having raised the concern, I leave it to others to follow it up.   

 

Peter King

49, Stourbridge Road, 

Hagley

Stourbridge

West Midlands

DY9 0QS

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From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 24 October 2011 13:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Clydach Section of A465 dualling

 

Good afternoon Dr King, 

 

Thank you for your email and the archaeological information you have
provided. If I can first reassure you that a great deal of consideration has
been given to the archaeological issues associated with the proposed
widening scheme and many survey have been undertaken by Jacobs on behalf of
the Welsh Government since the1990's when the proposals were first raised. 

We believe we have a full schedule of the archaeological monuments and sites
and since our appointment held meeting with CADW and GGAT to outline our
proposals. In addition, when setting out our initial proposals we have where
possible sought to mitigate or minimise the impact on archaeological sites
or monuments. 

I would stress that the forthcoming exhibitions are intended to inform the
public at this stage of our initial proposals and we intend to listen and
learn from the feedback before we put together our final proposals which
will be in about 12 months time. In the meantime we will continue to consult
and more surveys will be undertaken. 

 

I trust this reply goes some way to reassure you. 

 

Kind regards 

 

Brian Greaves 

 

___________________________

 

Brian Greaves | Community Relations Manager               

 

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From: Peter King [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 24 October 2011 11:04
To: Brian Greaves
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Clydach Section of A465 dualling

 

My attention was drawn to your consultation on the above.  As someone who
has used the road, I have no doubt that dualling it would in principle be a
good idea, but I am concerned that the list of proposes investigations does
not include an archaeological one.  The present road runs between the site
of the 1790s Clydach Furnaces and the much older Llanelli charcoal furnace
and forge, perhaps later a tinplate works.  Additionally, the valley had a
number of early railways.  Since the Clydach valley did not become heavily
built up in the way that the heads of some of the valleys further west did,
its archaeological potential is higher.  

 

It may be that the highway proposals only have minimal archaeological
implications, but you ought to be commissioning a report in these and if
necessary undertaking measures to mitigate the impact of the road on some
important sites.  The Clydach Furnaces are significant because there are
standing remains.  I suspect that Llanelly Furnace is not at risk at all due
to its location, but associated leats might be, and should be recorded
before destruction.  

 

The forge may also not be at risk, but the same considerations apply.  The
archaeology of finery forges was identified by the Historical Metallurgy
Society as a research priority, as surprisingly little archaeological
research had been done on them.  This is partly because the process they
used was largely abandoned by 1815, and sites have generally been used
subsequently for other purposes.  My recollection that there was
subsequently a tinplate works brings it into that category, but its
investigation, if the site was to be destroyed would still be a priority.  

 

I have used the spelling Llanelly, because it is that found in documents
that I have studied relating to the furnace.  The present one may end in
"i"; I am not sure.  

 

I am copying this to the Chairman of the Historical Metallurgy Society, who
is also their conservation officer.  

 

Dr Peter King (Ph. D. subject - economic history of iron industry)

49, Stourbridge Road, 

Hagley

Stourbridge

West Midlands

DY9 0QS

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