 From 1750 onwards, tramlines connected the harbour to local coal mines, and the establishment of copper smelting and ironworks towards the end of the 18th century quickly developed volumes of trade.Local Member of the UK Parliament, Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot of Margam Castle, recognised that improved transportation could stimulate industrial growth.As local MP he introduced a Bill in 1834 which approved the set-up of the "Aberavon Harbour Company" to develop the port facilities.