Rhondda Tunnel

rdf:langString Rhondda Tunnel

rdf:langString The Rhondda Tunnel is an abandoned railway tunnel that runs between the Rhondda and the Afan Valleys in South Wales. It is 3,443 yards (3,148 m) long, making it the third longest railway tunnel in Wales, and the seventeenth longest in the United Kingdom. The tunnel, constructed by the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway, was engineered by Sydney William Yockney. In June 1885, construction commenced from Blaencwm in the Rhondda Valley and Blaengwynfi in the Afan Valley. Progress slowed because of manpower shortages and water seepage. After contractor, William Jones was replaced by Lucas and Aird, more men brought in and progress was restored. Completed on 2 July 1890, it has a single 58-foot (18 m) ventilation shaft around 105 yards (96 m) from its western end. It is almost 1,000 feet (300 m) feet below ground at its deepest point. The tunnel's single track line split into double track on either side of its portals. Within decades of opening, the tunnel lining became distorted because of mining activity in the close vicinity. Between 1938 and 1953, around 500 steel ribs were installed to address the issue but it continued to deteriorate and speed limits were imposed. In 1969, the tunnel was closed temporarily on safety grounds. In December 1970, the Ministry of Transport closed the tunnel permanently, rather than financing repairs. In 1980, both entrances were filled. During the 2010s, the tunnel was surveyed with the intention of reopening it as a cycleway.