Monmouthshire County Council is a keen supporter of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, with other members of the Blaenavon Partnership, and these projects will help develop Clydach Gorge as a gateway to the World Heritage Site.

The majority of the grant aid from both Cadw and the Welsh Assembly Government will be spent on a programme of enhancements to Clydach Ironworks, a scheduled ancient monument which is owned by MCC and lies on the Clydach Gorge.  These works will begin week commencing the 3rd March 2008.  A gateway study will also be commissioned as a result of a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Councillor Eric Saxon said at the recent cabinet meeting:

“I visit the Ironworks twice a week and I think that this site is one of the secret gems of Monmouthshire and we should be shouting out about it.  There is a wealth of Industrial history there and I am delighted to be spending money on improving facilities there.”

In recent years the County Council has been working with the National Park Authority and local communities to help develop the access infrastructure in the area for the benefit of local people and visitors.

The work will include:

• Protection of the condition of the monument itself and to its immediate landscape setting - which, with new visitor information, will make it easier and safer for visitors to appreciate its significance;
• Ecological surveys reports and protection works;
• A study to develop “gateway” facilities, meaning enhanced access to the Gorge and also to the wider World Heritage Site and Brecon Beacons National Park.

The study will include consideration of the impacts of the proposed dualling and re-alignment of the Heads of the Valley Road A465.  The gateway study will be carried out in co-operation with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.