In 1859, the Company considered altering its track gauge from broad gauge to standard gauge (at the time referred to as "narrow-gauge"), to reduce costs. This was opposed by the South Wales Railway, which feared that it would encourage a connection with a rival with standard gauge lines. A Bill authorising this was passed in the House of Commons but the C&CR withdrew the proposal on receiving certain working undertakings from the SWR, and continued construction in the authorised broad gauge.