 Throughout this period, Swansea had been growing in importance as an industrial centre, and its docks had been, much extended and enhanced.At the same time Llanelly Dock had stagnated, and its limitations were evident.The Swansea Vale extension line to Brynamman (aligned to the Midland Railway) and the South Wales Railway (by now absorbed by the Great Western Railway) gave easy access for local industry to Swansea, to the disadvantage of Llanelly.