Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - To dredge the River Ely - 1860's

Their Lordships did not consider a local inquiry necessary in this case, being of the opinion that the works cannot be injurious to the navigation and trade of the port, on the contrary, may prove beneficial. Their Lordships therefore assent to the same, on condition that the usual Admiralty Clauses be inserted in the Bill ; that the detailed Plans of the work be submitted to, and approved of by, their Lordships previous to their commencement ; and that no deviation of the works seaward, or riverward, of the continuous black line shown on the Plan take place without the special assent of the Admiralty. - R. Osborne, Admiralty, 15 February, 1856.

The following year the Act was amended and expanded.

Ely Tidal Harbour and Railway Company Bill - 1857

This Company obtained an Act of Parliament last session empowering them to construct a line of Railway from the Taff Vale railway down the left bank of the river, six miles in length :

To embank, widen, deepen, and improve the lower portion of the River Ely :

To construct an embankment on Penarth Flats.

Their Lordships reported to Parliament in favour of the works.

The Company now seek powers from Parliament : -

1. To construct a Dock and Basin on the right bank of the River Ely :

2. To construct a Branch Line of Railway to the proposed Dock :

3. To run out an Embankment in front of the proposed Docks, abutting on the River Ely.

The additional works now proposed appear likely to render the works which were sanctioned last Session of a still more useful and comprehensive character, and to prove a great boon to the commerce and shipping in Cardiff Bay. - R. Osborne, Admiralty, 16 February, 1857.

The usual Admiralty clause followed and their Lordships approved the proposed works.