Dare Viaduct was once a striking feature of the Cynon Valley, a towering wooden railway bridge that stood as a testament to Victorian engineering. Designed by the legendary Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the viaduct was built in 1854/55 as part of the Vale of Neath Railway’s Dare and Aman branch. It was one of two wooden viaducts in the area, alongside the Gamlyn Viaduct, and played a key role in the industrial expansion of South Wales.
Stretching 450 feet (137 meters) in length and 70 feet (21 meters) in height, Dare Viaduct was constructed using Brunel’s signature fan of trestles, a distinctive wooden support system also seen in his viaducts across Cornwall and Wales. Originally built for a broad-gauge railway, it was later converted to standard gauge to accommodate changing railway standards.
For much of its lifespan, the viaduct was a vital transport link, carrying coal, timber, and goods from Cynon Valley collieries, such as Bwllfa Dare and Cwmaman, to Swansea Docks. Though primarily built for freight, the line also saw passenger services between 1906 and 1924.
Closure and Demolition
The decline of South Wales’ rail network eventually led to the viaduct’s closure on September 1, 1939, at the outbreak of World War II. Although disused, it remained standing for several years before being dismantled in 1947, leaving behind only the stone masonry piers that are still visible today (Cynon Valley Museum).
Dare Viaduct and Gamlyn Viaduct were the last of Brunel’s wooden viaducts in Wales to be demolished. Their removal marked the end of an era in railway engineering, but the remnants of the Dare Viaduct serve as a lasting reminder of the valley’s industrial past.
Legacy and What Remains Today
While the wooden structure is long gone, visitors to Dare Valley Country Park can still find traces of the viaduct. The stone piers, standing silently over the river, hint at the scale of this once-impressive structure. Local history enthusiasts can also view a model of the Dare Viaduct at the Dare Valley Visitor Centre (RCT Heritage).
Brunel’s railway legacy is deeply embedded in the Cynon Valley, and while the Dare Viaduct may no longer dominate the skyline, its history continues to be celebrated as part of the rich industrial heritage of South Wales.
For more on the history of the Dare Viaduct and the railways of the Cynon Valley, visit: