Casgliadau Arlein

Hydraulic Power House built for the unfinished Neath Floating Harbour Scheme 1878-1890s. Structure located at NGR SN 730/957, on west side of incomplete New Cut for the River Neath, was intended to power lock gates of floating harbour which was to have occupied the old course of the River Neath, and also coal hoists and other machinery. Distant view from north showing the structure in its landscape setting at high tide when much of the low lying land was inundated. Camera position is on south side of Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway line, midway between the River Neath Swing Bridge and the unfinished New Cut for the River Neath. The distinct curved bank crossing the view was occupied by a contractor’s temporary tramway during work on the floating harbour scheme. Left (east) of the engine house can be seen an extensive domestic refuse tip. In the distance is the A48 River Neath Bridge built in the 1950s with the cooling towers and chimney stacks of the 1960s Baglan Bay Petrochemical Works (run down from 1994 and closed 2004).