Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - The subway under the river Ely story . . .

1896 - Taff Vale Railway Company - Cost of the Subway Under the Ely - 'The engineer to the Taff Vale Railway Company estimates that a total capital expenditure of £138,650 [equivalent to  c.£18.8m in 2020] will be incurred in the event of Parliament sanctioning the new works sought to be constructed under the powers contained in their deposited Bill for next Session. Of this sum the proposed subway under the river Ely will absorb £15,812' [equivalent to  c.£2.2m in 2020] . . . - South Wales Echo [163] [316] 17th January 1896.

1896 - Taff Vale Railway Bill - A New Tunnel and a New Toll - ' This afternoon at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of Cardiff Corporation, Alderman David Jones presiding, the Taff Vale Railway Bill was discussed. The promoters wish, among other things, to make a subway under the river Ely, near Penarth Docks, between the Cardiff and Penarth sides and in the course of discussion on the subject the Borough Engineer (Mr Harpur) stated that it would be 8ft. in diameter. They also ask for power to charge a toll of 2d for every person entering or passing through. The meeting accepted a suggested clause limiting the construction of the subway to a period of five years, and inserted clauses to the effect that the subway should be at least 16ft. wide and 10ft. high ; that the Corporation should have power to purchase at any time and that a steam or other private ferry be allowed to be run across the river at that point, with free use and access of the adjoining ground for landing and embarking. As to the proposed 2d toll, it was unanimously agreed, on the proposition of Councillor Trounce, to insert a clause asking that the charge be 1d instead. Several protective clauses as the bridge abutments, drainage, and water mains were also added.' - South Wales Echo [163] [316] 30th January 1896.