RCT Council has provided an update on the revised repair scheme for the Iron Tram Bridge near Robertstown. Progress has included the appointment of a contractor and completion of a planning submission for the scheme.
The Iron Tram Bridge is an historic Scheduled Monument carrying a Public Right of Way over the River Cynon near the A4059 roundabout at Meirion Street. It was in a poor condition before receiving further damage in Storm Dennis. Its restoration is complex – considering the need to restore the bridge sympathetically to respect its cultural significance, working closely with Cadw.
The bridge was removed to start a repair scheme after Scheduled Monument Consent was granted. However, upon closer inspection away from site, a specialist contractor found the bridge’s condition to be worse than anticipated. It was announced last summer that a new repair scheme would be designed.
The Council has now announced that Walters Ltd is appointed as the Principal Contractor for the revised scheme, which proposes installing several additional support beams to the bridge deck. It will aim to have minimal disruption to the historic cast iron aesthetics.
Further protection of the historic structure will be offered by the introduction of a collision beam which will be installed upstream of the structure, to protect against debris in the river during future storms.
A planning application is now submitted for future consideration by the Planning and Development Committee. An artist’s impression of the bridge repairs (pictured) is included in the application. The Council has also made a submission for Scheduled Monument Consent for the revised scheme.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “I’m pleased that progress has been made towards this important restoration scheme, after it was announced last summer that the planned repairs would need to be revised following a specialist inspection of the structure. A contractor is now appointed for the revised scheme, and the relevant applications for planning and Scheduled Monument consents are formally submitted by the Council.
“The Council is committed to delivering the repairs within its Storm Dennis Repairs Programme for 2023/24, and will keep residents fully up-to-date as the scheme reaches further key milestones. If the relevant consents are granted, the Council’s contractor could begin the main phase of work this summer.”
