A major summer repair scheme to Ynysmeurig Bridge in Abercynon has been completed ahead of schedule – including additional resurfacing nearby and drainage work, which has now enabled the B4275 to open with minimal works ongoing.
The Council’s contractor Walters Ltd has been working throughout the school summer holidays to carry out the highest priority of the maintenance work required for the bridge, which carries the main road through Abercynon.
Work has included the replacement of the bridge parapets, scour repairs to the central pier, and repointing of the abutment and central pier. The scheme also included important repairs to the nearby river wall which supports River Row. Sections of the structure downstream of the bridge have been repointed and rebuilt, while vegetation clearance was also completed.
With the bridge and river wall works substantially complete by Friday, August 20, the Council took the opportunity to carry out drainage maintenance work and road resurfacing nearby during the early part of this week. All works are now complete, and the B4275 has been reopened to all road users.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “I’m pleased that this major work over the school summer holiday has been delivered successfully ahead of schedule – with nearby resurfacing and drainage maintenance work also following on from the main bridge repairs.
“The structure is one of more than 1,500 bridges, culverts and walls across Rhondda Cynon Taf which the Council is responsible for maintaining – with £12.949m allocated towards this area as part of the 2021/22 Highways Capital Programme. We also continue to seek external funding where possible, and to plan and deliver infrastructure repairs following Storm Dennis.
“Major elements of the Ynsymeurig Bridge scheme have been carried out using dedicated funding earmarked for Storm Dennis repairs – including the pier and abutment scour repairs along with the retaining wall repairs.
“This summer’s work has delivered the highest priority of the repairs required for Ynysmeurig Bridge, to help future-proof the structure. The work caused unavoidable disruption locally due to the necessary closure of the main road, and I’d like to thank local residents and road users for their patience and cooperation as we delivered the works over the past six weeks.”
