 At the same time the GWR observed that the LNWR now had access to Swansea, and saw that if the Llanelly company failed its lines would fall into the hands of the LNWR.Accordingly, an agreement was struck, whereby the GWR took over the Llanelly company's original lines from 1 January 1873.Ordinary Llanelly shareholders were to receive 5% dividends paid by the GWR, rising to 5.5% from 1877.