Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - Swing Bridge Connections : Penarth Dock, River Taff and Glamorganshire Canal . . .

The OS 1885 map (surveyed 1878-79) shows the road 'blocked' by the Grangetown Iron Works at York Street, so to reach Penarth with horse and cart, the route would probably have entailed a right turn into Clive Street and then left into the Penarth Road and under the railway bridge; the one with Grangetown station above.

The tree-lined Penarth Road runs straight to the Ely Bridge and then onwards towards the entrances of the Penarth Dock. The road passed across Lord Bute's land and was constructed by him.

The Ely bridge crossing was opened in 1867 and in order to recover the costs of the investment, a toll was charged which continued to be operation until circa. 1953-54. The bridge was finally replaced by Cardiff City Borough Council in c.1960-63.

Alternatively, perhaps it was just an extension of Ferry Road to the River Ely ferry crossing which would have been suitable for pedestrian traffic only. (but this route is not yet indicated on the 1885 OS map).

However, the London Gazette of November 1877 details the proposals for the Penarth Dock Extension intended for approval by Parliament during the 1878 session in which it includes the following :

'6. A road to commence by a junction with the existing road from Grange to Penarth Ferry, 470 yards, or thereabouts, south of the bridge carrying the harbour branch of the Company's railway over such road, near the Grange Ironworks, and to be carried across the River Ely by a bridge, and to terminate at or near the termination of the intended dock extension, as hereinbefore described.' London Gazette [100] 27th November 1877.

The 'circuitous route' mentioned previously would have been across the moors to the Leckwith Bridge, up Leckwith Hill (not ideal in a 1950's car let along with a horse and cart!) to Llandough village, then left at the church to join the road nearby Cogan Pill House, then right onto Penarth Dock.