Presteigne At the
beginning of the 19th century,
various tramways were constructed in South Wales to carry bulky and heavy
goods in a more efficient way than on the roads, which could be muddy
and rutted in bad weather.
Transport
The
tramway to England
These tramways were an early form of railway,
but with horses pulling short trains consisting of small trucks.
One of these tramways was opened between Brecon and Hay in 1816
and was later extended into Herefordshire. The system worked so well that
local businessmen continued it further to Kington. From there it was again
extended into Radnorshire to James Watt's lime kilns at Burlingjobb in
1833.fertility
- when plants grow well
In the early Victorian
period this tramway brought thousands
of tons of coal into the area.
Some of this was used in the lime kilns at Burlingjobb. They can be seen
on this map of 1835.
The kilns produced lime which was used to make cement, and for spreading
on the fields to improve fertility.