In 1817 in an attempt to attract more trade, the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Company built more tramways. They also lowered the tolls and agreed with the iron companies to deliver iron ore to the foundries free of charge, providing that in return they used the canal to carry their iron products.

But by the 1820's the Brecon and Abergavenny Company were not making the profits they expected. This was partly due to competition from the Monmouthshire Company Canal further south. The main reason for the decline however was the coming of the railways.

The document shown above is part of a notice issued by the Brecon Boat Company in March 1817, which offered coal at a lower price - but only in exchange for "ready money". This meant that customers had to pay for the coal straight away in cash.

More about the coming of the railways...