RCT Council has provided an update on the significant scheme to replace the Brook Street footbridge at Ystrad Railway Station – with the design phase now complete and work on course to begin on site in the New Year.
The bridge, now at the end of its design life, provides an important link from Ystrad to Nant-y-Gwyddon Road, and is the only ramped access to the railway station’s northbound platform. The demolition and replacement scheme is very complex as it must contend with several factors including the day-to-day operation of the station, while work must also take place above a river. The final scheme will also provide a missing link to the active travel route along the valley.
The scheme is included in the £25.02m Highways Capital Programme for 2020/21. The total investment required to deliver the scheme is around £3.5m, and a significant funding allocation has been approved and allocated in previous years. In November 2019, additional funding was secured for this scheme from Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund for 2019/20. The Council is continuing to pursue external sources of funding available.
The design phase is complete and a pre-construction planning period with stakeholders is underway. The Council will soon seek to appoint a contractor.
As part of the pre-construction planning period, around 100 properties near the footbridge are being consulted with, and will receive a letter outlining how they can have their say on perceived/actual issues. Please note, this is not a community-wide consultation – the properties are identified as likely to be directly affected by required night time working.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “Important progress has been made with the complex replacement of Brook Street footbridge, including the completion of the design phase. The scheme has a number of external factors to consider so work can safely take place – namely the operation of Ystrad Railway Station, requiring a significant number of night shifts so Transport for Wales’ services can continue to run.
“The Council is therefore undertaking a localised consultation with nearby properties identified as likely to be affected by noise during the night working. Those properties will this week receive a letter on how to take part. The aim of this consultation is let local residents know the nature of the required work, and to see if the Council can provide assistance over any perceived issues.
“Work is likely to start on site in early 2021, and the Council will confirm operational arrangements once they are finalised. This will include a minibus service to transport people from one side of the valley to the other, once the bridge is removed. Access to the railway station will be in place at all times.”
