Mountain Ash Cross Valley will cause disruption to weekend train services from September 28-29.
The Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link will reach an exciting landmark as the main bridge structure will be placed over the River Cynon and Cardiff to Aberdare railway line. This will cause disruption to weekend train services from September 28-29.
The multi-million pound highways scheme will see a road bridge built from Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate to Miskin Road, providing a vital new link for traffic travelling between the A4059 and B4275. The project is a long term-aspiration for the Council and residents, and is due for completion in 2020.
Contractors Walters-Sisk are making excellent progress in the construction phase of the scheme – and has recently taken delivery of several large bridge beams to the site (pictured), which will make up the main structure. These will be installed from Saturday, September 28, to Sunday, September 29.
The beams range in weight from 40-100 tonnes, with the shortest span over the river measuring 32m and the longest 37m. A large crane will be used to lift the beams.
Over the weekend, residents will be able to safely view the activity on site from a section of Glyngwyn Street car park – with this vantage point identified as safe and suitable by Walters-Sisk. Everyone is welcome to use this area.
The contractor has secured a weekend closure of the railway line from September 28-29, and will take possession of the track in the early hours of Saturday morning until 5am on Monday, September 30. Overnight working will be utilised over the weekend, which will make a level of noise. This will ensure the work is completed in time for the railway line to open on Monday morning.
Replacement bus services will be provided between Pontypridd and Aberdare railway stations – stopping at all railway stations on this line.
Letters outlining the activity over this weekend have been delivered to nearby residents. Network Rail will also be promoting the replacement bus arrangements, which the Council will share in due course.
Please note, the work is weather-dependant – and high wind speeds may result in works being delayed until the wind reduces.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “Our contractor for the Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link will undertake a very busy period of activity on site, which will involve the installation of a crane which will then lift the huge bridge beams into place, over the river and the railway line. It will show, for the first time, the new link road taking shape – and show how the project is accelerating towards completion.
“In order to install the beams, there will be an unavoidable closure of the railway line for the whole weekend. The Aberdare to Cardiff service will therefore terminate at Pontypridd, and replacement buses will be arranged to serve the stations to the north – Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Fernhill, Cwmbach and Aberdare. I’d like to thank commuters and residents for their cooperation in advance.
“The upcoming work on-site will I’m sure generate great interest locally, and the Council’s contractor has therefore arranged for a safe viewing area to be cordoned off at Glyngwyn Street. I’m looking forward to seeing these weekend works completed, which will represent a major milestone in this project – as the Council works hard to make this long-term community aspiration a reality.”
