The new Castle Inn Footbridge in Treforest was successfully lifted into place this week – and final arrangements are being made to reopen Cardiff Road on schedule, ahead of the peak travel period on Monday morning.
The old footbridge provided a key link over the Afon Taff between River Street in Treforest and Cardiff Road in Glyntaff, but was severely damaged by Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis. It has remained closed since 2020 as a replacement scheme was prepared, while the old bridge was demolished this summer.
During the school summer holiday, a road closure at Cardiff Road has allowed the large bridge elements to arrive on site along with preparations to install the new footbridge. A 1,000-tonne crane was installed on site in recent weeks, and the bridge was successfully lifted into place on Wednesday, August 30.
Arrangements are now in place for Cardiff Road to reopen – this will take place before the peak travel period on Monday morning (September 4).
Cardiff Road will reopen under a lane closure as planned, with two-way traffic flow maintained using traffic lights. The temporary shuttle bus will continue to operate until Sunday, before normal bus arrangements resume on Monday.
The final phases of the project will then follow, including returning a sewer connection to the river crossing and finishing the approaches to the new bridge. It is envisaged that the project will be completed on time – including the new footbridge opening to the public – by the beginning of October 2023.
Resurfacing of the carriageway at Cardiff Road is also planned – this will be completed after all works relating to the footbridge have been finished.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “The bridge lift on Wednesday represented an important landmark for this scheme, to replace the old Castle Inn Footbridge which was severely damaged by Storm Dennis. The replacement structure will re-establish the link over the river by early October, and has been carefully designed with flood defences in mind.
“This scheme is being delivered within a significant programme for Storm Dennis repairs in 2023/24, through full funding by Welsh Government which amounts to around £20m in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Other key schemes include the ongoing White Bridge repairs in Pontypridd, the Tynybryn Footbridge replacement in Tonyrefail, and the Feeder Pipe Footbridge in Abercynon.
“The work undertaken in Treforest during the school holiday, under the Cardiff Road closure, has progressed very well – and I’m pleased that Cardiff Road will reopen on schedule ahead of the new school year on Monday.
“This has been a very complex scheme given the Listed nature of the old bridge and the utility infrastructure nearby. I’d like to once again thank local residents for their patience and cooperation throughout. We are now entering the final weeks of the scheme, to reinstate a sewer connection and complete the bridge approaches, ahead of the footbridge opening by early October.”
