Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - Mr. B's 1836 Ely Docks . . .

A Chronology of the Taff Vale Railway Company's Proposed Ely Branch Line.

The following section research is based upon the Welsh Railways Research Archives - Proposed Ely Branch - A Brief Chronology. [Resource Reference: TV/80] [737]

In November 1834 the TVR deposited a plan for the Cardiff to Merthyr Railway but at this date it did not include the Ely Branch line and it wasn't until October the following year that the TVR Directors Minutes resolved to include it within Parliamentary Notices. During November 1835 a plan was deposited which included a branch to a 'proposed cut' at the mouth of the River Ely.

The following year, 1836, The TVR Act included 'A Branch leading to or near Cogan Pill on the west bank of the River Ely.' Between July and November of 1836 the TVR Board had resolved that it was 'necessary to ascertain the practicalities of making an efficient port at Ely.'

Mr. Brunel was duly appointed to prepare a plan and estimation of cost of a dock at the mouth of the River Ely. During October Mr. B. read his report to the TVR Board and it was resolved to seek Parliamentary powers to construct the dock. The TVR Seal was affixed to an agreement with Robert Clive, et al, in which the TVR undertook to make the Ely Branch within 5 years or forfeit £56k to Clive! [approx. £8,302,800 in 2026]