Plate-Girder Bridge

This is a long, three-arch plate-girder bridge built in 1903. It features a wide deck supported by piers and abutments made of snecked stone, with the piers extending as cut-waters. The abutments are angled and have quoins, topped with concrete copings. The parapets are divided into three sections, one for each arch, each containing a row of riveted wrought iron plates beneath a top rail that curves down at the ends. Narrow iron railings with fleur-de-lis finials fill the gaps between these sections. The central section of the parapets is slightly raised and has a narrow top rail. An oval iron plaque is mounted in the center of the south face, though it is not decipherable. The flanking sections feature heavy riveted top rails, and open iron handrails are mounted on the parapets, which include circular posts, a top rail, a mid rail, and small ball finials. The abutments extend into the river banks and support similar railings. The ends of the bridge are marked by large square stone piers with moulded arched capstones that have margin drafting. The south piers support large decorative iron vases with finials, while the north piers may be missing theirs. A large stone tablet on the inside face of the northwest pier commemorates the bridge's construction by the Aberavon Corporation, opened by Sir Arthur Vivian KCB on October 29, 1903, with engineer J. Roderick and contractors Clark & Co. Major T. A. Burgess and town clerk M. Tennant are also mentioned. Additionally, there is a further pier at the northeast end of the east abutment. The bridge has a wide two-carriageway deck with pavements on each side.