1889 -The new route to Butetown was through Corporation Road and across the River Taff by a new swing bridge of 1889, the Clarence Road Bridge. [002] The Illustrated Guide to Cardiff of 1897 describes the Clarence Bridge : 'This imposing structure was opened in 1890 by the late Duke of Clarence and Avondale. The bridge connects Grangetown with the Docks district, and comprises a central span of 190 feet, providing two openings each of a clear width of 72 feet for the passage of vessels navigating the river, and the two fixed spans each 132 feet from centre to centre of end pins, and forms the principal feature of the works carried out under the powers of the Cardiff Corporation Act, 1877. The works comprise the formation and construction of two-thirds of a mile of new roads 50 feet wide, half a mile of roads 40 feet wide, a bridge over the Taff 464 feet long, and one of 104 feet over the Glamorgan Canal. The abutments, &c., of the bridge are of Pennant stone and grey Cornish granite, and the superstructure mainly of mild steel. at the time of erection the clarence Bridge was the largest swinging bridge in the country.' [592] [20170806]

The Glamorganshire Canal was forded by a another new swing bridge, 32 metres (c.105 feet) long, at James Street in Butetown which opened 1891. [206] The bridge was a lattice-girder construction c.105 feet in length and pivoted at the western end. When a vessel required to pass, a bell was sounded and all on the bridge were instructed to make way prior to closing the gates at both sides of the canal. Subsequently, there were many complaints about delays to pedestrian and road-traffic in opening and closing the bridge from about 1894 onwards. The control tower for the bridge is clearly shown on the left hand side of the swing bridge. The bridge was dismantled during 1957. The bridge was built by Andrew Handyside & Company of Derby.

1886 - The impetus to improvement was the ongoing dispute relating to the TVR's imposed toll to pass over their private road and bridges to the docks (Ferry Road). In 1886 it had come to a head with a special committee being appointed by the Cardiff Town Council and as a result, Mr. Harpur, the borough engineer, suggested a new bridge. A rough sketch was prepared and published for public comment (see above). The cost of the works estimated to be £30,000. Mr. Harpur felt that the purchase of the existing TVR bridges would necessitate their demolition and rebuilding since the existing approaches were only 18 feet wide on the wooden piers whilst the swing bridge itself was a mere 12 feet wide. Mr. Harpur commented that 'For a long time a good deal of inconvenience and danger has resulted due to to the narrow nature of the footway.' - Western Mail [036] [361] 2nd October 1886.

1920 - A section of the OS map of Cardiff, including Cardiff West Moors, Grangetown and Butetown published in 1920 corresponding roughly to the area covered in the plan above of the proposed new bridge and road; the Clarence Road Bridge. Note that the route of the roadway leading to the new bridge has been amended from the old TVR Ferry Road to an alignment with Corporation Road to enter James Street in Butetown. The former swing bridge over the River Taff has long been removed and all that remains is the roadway extending out into the river on its masonry and earthwork foundations. [010]