£4.5m bid to secure the future of castle

A CASTLE which has been described as being in a “significant state of deterioration” will see £4.5m spent on it for urgent conservation works as it marks its 200th anniversary.

- ANTHONY LEWIS Local Democracy Reporter

The Welsh Government has announced its historic environment service Cadw and Merthyr Tydfil council will each contribute £2.25m to address deterioration to Cyfarthfa Castle's oldest part as well as protecting nearby Pont-y-Cafnau bridge, which is reputedly the oldest iron railway bridge in the world.

In February a council report said the castle was in a “significant state of deterioration”, adding it was fast approaching a state of dereliction, raising serious safety concerns and an increasing cost of rehabilitation.