Cadw is the body in Wales that protects the “historic buildings and structures, the landscapes and heritage sites of Wales”. A story on Cadw’s website grabbed my attention as it was about a sign in Cwmbran.
Last December was the 15th anniversary of the completion of Cadw’s national survey of listed buildings. To mark the occasion they shared a fun story of seven of the quirkiest buildings they have listed to date.
One of them was this sign on the edge of Court Road Industrial Estate. Now as someone who loves to share news and features about Cwmbran, this news took me by surprise. The listing was awarded in August 2019.
The sign is now enclosed by hoardings as Melin Homes are building homes on the land where the sign is located off Llantarnam Road.
When Cadw was formed in 1984, it took responsibility for identifying buildings for listing in Wales — with each addition chosen for its unique history, architecture or age; not to mention the special value held to Welsh communities.
Read Cadw has written about the Court Road sign.
“After the New Towns Act passed in 1946, the area from north Newport up to Pontypool was identified for the development of a new town — today known as Cwmbran.
“The establishment of Cwmbran as the only major new town in Wales was a significant event in the post-war period and was a major landmark in planning and development in Wales.
“As well as modern housing for workers and improved transport links, new areas of industrial development were also provided to encourage new employment. Found at the north-east corner of a roundabout in Torfaen, the highly distinctive sign belongs to phase 3 of the development of Court Road Industrial Estate.
“A classic example of post-war design, the tall, three-sided painted steel structure perfectly embodies the spirit of the age of Cwmbran’s development as a new town.”