 The bridge now has statutory protection as a scheduled ancient monument and is grade I listed.In the early 18th century Pontypridd, then known as Pont-y-tŷ-pridd ("The bridge of the earthen house"), was a tiny hamlet.Pont-y-tŷ-pridd took its name from the original bridge of the same name,
however very little is known of that ancient ford with stepping stones, which ran alongside the current Old Bridge, and was used only when the river ran low.