Karl-James Langford

I often wonder how very much of our built up history could have been saved over the past few years, if only we had been more aware of it. One such structure, so hidden and out of site within the Barry and District is a part of our once more extensive railway network.

Being asked a decade ago, "Karl-James Langford, have you ever seen the Wenvoe Tunnel?" The answer would surely be no. And to be honest very little is out there; without a much deeper search.

Research over the past few months Richard Enos has been able to undertake for us on the Wenvoe Tunnel; and we are thankful for that. Before I continue this week, I would like to announce that Richard and I continue to work on our latest book, ready to print by the end of the year, all things going our way, entitled Barry with Cadoxton: A Missing History. Mind you we have so much research, we are looking at part one, with many more editions after that.

Back to the Wenvoe Tunnel, well where is it. I can describe the journey to find the Northern end (portal), as portrayed this week. I went out and about with one the Barry class members; Rosamund Ellis-Evans, and the adventure to find the northern portal of the tunnel, was full of mishaps.

Parking in the most northerly part of the Marks and Spencer carpark, there can only be described as pathways that lead one a merry dance. Following a routeway in a northerly direction; whilst filming the debacle, alongside the M4 and Culverhouse Cross link road after a while, you are forced to head down into a flat-bottomed valley. And there you have it, that flat-bottomed valley is in-fact the railway cutting.

Then you head back (southerly) on yourself along the 'cutting' along a very muddy; and in the winter a boggy track bed. Then you have it, the exit of the tunnel, as it heads away towards the Barry direction. The tunnel looks very impressive.

The gate over the entrance does prevent access of the tunnel, and you may say ownership is a little disputed,but you can peer into the distance and see light as the tunnel opens up at the settlement of Drope. There are stories abound about the tunnel, from the Royal family sheltering in the tunnel in the Second World War, while Cardiff was being bombed, references to fatalities along the line, and reports of the tunnel to it being regularly flooded when in use. Good old Richard Enos, through his research tells us the following:

The Barry Railway line which would bring coal directly to the new Port at Barry in the late 1800s, would be an amazing success story back in the day. The 'line' featured some fine engineering, many tunnels were constructed, the longest ones being between Pontypridd and Treforest, the Graig (Treforest) Tunnel, now sealed, and this weeks Wenvoe Tunnel. Work on the tunnel began in 1885, and it was probably completed by late 1888, as above the North Portal, there is a date stone of 1888. But the official opening of the tunnel; after the completion of the other engineering work, was in 1889. From planning, to construction and opening, was around four years, the Barry Railway line stretched into the Valleys to Trehafod, a distance of just under 19 miles.

From what we know state of the art technology; back then, was used at the construction of the tunnel, such as: pressurised oil lights, and air compressors drove rock drills; and more than 3,000 labourers and ponies were used.

The double tracked line through the tunnel, brought most of the coal to the port of Barry, from the period of King Coal in the valleys. The Wenvoe Tunnel is just over a mile long with its South portal at the Drope partly bricked up, and with the now gated north portal.

The tunnel closed shortly after April 1963. Although the rail sleepers and iron track were removed, the tunnel now carries one of the main water Mains to Barry.

I’m sure many will remember the large red brick chimney that stood in a field close to Culverhouse Cross that allowed smoke and steam to escape as trains passed below. However, the chimney has now been demolished, and replaced with a soulless breeze block box; of which it can be found behind the B & M store.

Thanks for joining us this week, for more stories from the Barry and District.