Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - Mr. B's 1836 Ely Docks . . .

Mr. Isambard Kingdom Brunel wrote of his involvement in the proposal to construct docks at the termination of the Ely Branch railway of the Taff Vale Railway Company. His letter book of October 1836 provides statement that he had considered the practicality of constructing the docks and had undertaken trial borings, soundings and a detailed survey of the intended site. He wrote :

'From the general opinions entertained by those who possess experience from all the information I have been able to obtain from my own observations and from the results of the surveys and soundings and the examination which has been made there appears to be no doubt that as regards the requisites for a good harbour ; depth of water ; sheltered position ; facility of ingress and egress ; and anchorage, the mouth of the River Ely is superior to that of the Taff.'

He continues his assessment of the location thus :

'Such is the received opinion and I believe a well founded one of the natural advantages of the River and the position. The extent and the nature of the ground at the terminus of this branch of the railway fully enable the Company to avail themselves of these advantages. . .