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Pontypridd
Population	33,000
OS grid reference	ST075895
Principal area	Rhondda Cynon Taff
Ceremonial county	Mid Glamorgan
Constituent country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	PONTYPRIDD
Postcode district	CF37-38
Dial code	01443
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Wales
UK Parliament	Pontypridd
European Parliament	Wales
List of places: UK • Wales

Pontypridd is a town in Glamorgan, Wales, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff. It has a population of roughly 33,000, and is situated 12 miles (19 km) north of the capital city, Cardiff. The "ridd" in Pontypridd is pronounced "reath" (as in the word "breath").[1] Pontypridd is often abbreviated "Ponty" by local residents.

Contents 1 History 2 Miscellany 3 Notable people from Pontypridd 4 References 5 See also 6 External links

The name Pontypridd is from "Pont-y-tŷ-pridd" the Welsh for "bridge by the earthen house", a reference to a succession of wooden bridges that formerly spanned the River Taff at this point. Pontypridd is, however, more famous for the Old Bridge, a stone bridge across the Taff built in 1756 by William Edwards. This bridge was the fourth attempted by Edwards, and at the time of its construction was the longest stone-built single-arch bridge in Europe. Rising 35 feet (11 m) above the level of the river, the bridge is a perfect segment of a circle, the chord of which is 140 feet (43 m). Notable features are three holes of differing diameters through each end of the bridge. The purpose of these was to reduce the weight of the bridge, although their aesthetically pleasing nature is a bonus. The utility of the bridge was debatable, however – the steepness of the design making it difficult to get carts across it – and in 1857 a new bridge, the Victoria Bridge, paid for by public subscription, was built adjacent to the old one.

Pontypridd was known as Newbridge from shortly after the construction of what is today called the "Old Bridge" until the 1860s.

The history of Pontypridd is closely tied to the coal and iron industries. Sited as it is at the junction of the Rhondda and Taff valleys, it became an important location for the transportation of coal from the Rhondda and iron from Merthyr Tydfil, first via the Glamorganshire Canal and later via the Taff Vale Railway, to the ports at Cardiff and Barry. Because of its role in transporting coal cargo, its train platform was at one time the longest in the world.

• The town is also home to a large hospital, Dewi Sant Hospital and the famous rugby union team.

• Pontypridd has its very own community radio station GTFM, which is in partnership with the University Of Glamorgan. It has local news, information and music from the last four decades, and is run by a voluntary management committee.

• The Pontypridd and Llantrisant Observer is the local newspaper for the town.

• Pontypridd RFC is one of Wales' most famous rugby clubs, with the one of the best junior rugby sections and academy that frequently contributes players to the national team.

• Pontypridd hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1893.

• Tom Jones, singer of such worldwide top 40 hits as Delilah and The Green Green Grass of Home, born in neighbouring Treforest
• Evan James and James James, writers of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the national anthem of Wales
• William Price, who carried out the first cremation in the UK in modern times on Llantrisant Common
• Opera singers Stuart Burrows and Geraint Evans who were born in nearby Cilfynydd
• Freddie Welsh, world champion boxer
• Neil Jenkins, Michael Owen, Martyn Williams, Kevin Morgan, Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Wyatt, Welsh international rugby players
• Lostprophets, rock band
• Phil Campbell, guitarist with Motörhead
• Gareth Davies of Funeral for a Friend

The fictional town of Pontypandy, in which children's television programme Fireman Sam is situated, is based on Pontypridd.^{[citation needed]}

• Pontypridd (UK Parliament constituency)
• Pontypridd (National Assembly for Wales constituency)

• Pontytown.co.uk: a Pontypridd-based website.
• British strike - extra fodder for pit ponies, Pontypridd Photo from the Library of Congress's George Grantham Bain Collection
• Ynysangharad Surgery: a GP surgery situated near Ynysangharad Park

Coordinates: 51.59672° N 3.33682° W