RCT Council has made important progress in the process to repair Penydarren Tramroad Bridge in Trecynon – and has submitted designs of a scheme to restore the Scheduled Monument for Cadw’s review.
The Grade II Listed structure, and the Public Right of Way it supports, was previously closed due to significant scour damage and structural steelwork defects that were identified in the bridge. The structure was then further damaged in unprecedented weather brought by Storm Dennis in February 2020, and the subsequent storm events which followed shortly afterwards.
The Council is aware of the historical importance of the bridge, and has worked very closely with Redstart to design a scheme to sympathetically restore the structure and safely bring the Public Right of Way back into use. The scheme, if approved, will comprise specialist cast iron repairs.
Security fencing remains in place around the structure and its surrounding area to prevent public access onto the bridge, in the interest of safety.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “The repair scheme for the Penydarren Tramroad Bridge in Trecynon is very complex – due to the need to ensure that any work protects the historical importance of the structure, and has the full consent of Cadw.
“The process was further complicated as the bridge was one of the structures to sustain damage during significant storm events earlier this year. The Council continues to assess infrastructure damage across the County Borough, to plan repair and replacement schemes. Recently, repairs have progressed at the retaining wall at A4054 Cardiff Road in Treforest, the retaining wall at Pontypridd Road in Porth and Ynysangharad Park Bridge in Pontypridd.
“An important landmark was recently reached in relation to the Penydarren Tramroad Footbridge, as the Council has submitted a design to Cadw for its determination – seeking Scheduled Monument consent. The Council will keep residents up to date with the progress of this process.”
