Abertillery underpass mosaics
The 1960s to the 1990s saw major improvements to the road network in the Western Valleys, including improvement of the A467 through Abertillery in the 1980s. Gwent County Council commissioned murals with historic scenes to adorn this A467 underpass and its wing walls.
North of here the A467 follows the course of the railway line to Brynmawr. To the south it uses the old Aberbeeg Road. The underpass is in a short section of road embankment linking those two corridors. In the 19th century the land in this vicinity was occupied by the Western Valleys Saw Mills, an iron and tinplate works, a smithy, a public house and various roads.
In 1987 Gwent council commissioned artists Kenneth and Oliver Budd, father and son, to create murals for the new underpass at a cost of £50,000. The new road’s opening ceremony was held at the underpass in December 1988. Guest of honour was former Blaenau Gwent MP Michael Foot, who had led the Labour Party from 1980 to 1983.
The mosaic’s eight panels reflect the variety of life and work in Abertillery c.1890-1910. Workplaces shown include hill farms, the tinplate works, Cwmtillery Colliery, Webb’s Brewery, one of the town’s railway stations and the Ward Williams iron foundry (known as “Warwill’s”). Another panel shows Blaenau Gwent Chapel, founded by Baptists in the 18th century but now demolished.
There’s a wealth of detail to enjoy in the mosaics. Look for the colliery canary, and the dog and cat which Kenneth and Oliver always included in their artworks! For full details, follow the link below to Graham Bennett’s website.
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council restored the mosaics in 2024.
With thanks to Graham Bennett
More about the mosaics on Graham Bennett’s website