RCT Council has now reached the next stage of the scheme to replace Brook Street footbridge at Ystrad Rhondda Railway Station – with site compound setup now taking place ahead of the main phase of works.

The bridge has reached the end of its design life, and requires replacement to maintain the well-used pedestrian access from Ystrad to Nant-y-Gwyddon Road, which the structure supports. The bridge also provides the only ramped access to the northbound platform of the railway station. The replacement scheme is being jointly funded by the Council and Welsh Government.

Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd is the Council’s appointed contractor for the scheme. The project is challenging as it must contend with the day-to-day operation of the railway station and live railway, and the presence of the river.

Having started on site in January 2022, significant vegetation clearance is now complete – and the contractor is progressing well with establishing its site compound at the nearby Gelli Industrial Estate. The main construction phase of the scheme will begin by the end of March, for completion later this year.

From early April 2022, due to the nature of the project, the contractor will be required to undertake much of the work at night. Local residents should expect some noise disruption, but measures will be in place to help mitigate this. The contractor will write to local residents to provide further details.

At this stage of the project, disruption for bridge users – including the day-to-day operation of the railway station – will remain unaffected. There will be disruption in the future when the contractor dismantles the bridge, requiring temporary access arrangements to the railway station. The Council will give notice of this work, with further details to be communicated in due course.

Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd will begin to provide regular progress updates on the project via its community website.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “Local residents and commuters will have noticed ongoing vegetation clearance near Ystrad Rhondda Railway Station since the New Year, which was the first phase of work towards replacing Brook Street footbridge. Good progress has been made, allowing the start of preparations for the main construction phase, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022.

“The Council continues to provide significant funding to repair and future-proof structures which support our highways and transportation network. Brook Street footbridge is one of many schemes to be included within the Highways Capital Programme for 2022/23, within a £5.65m investment for structures. Delivering repairs to Imperial Bridge in Porth, replacing the Nant Cwm Parc Cantilever and strengthening Institute Bridge in Treorchy, and replacing the Llanharan Railway Footbridge, all represent priority schemes.

“The next phase of work at Ystrad Rhondda Railway Station will include a series of night works from April, as the contractor must work around operation of the live railway. The Council will continue to work closely with its contractor to progress the scheme with as minimal disruption to the community as possible, as work progresses towards demolition of the existing bridge in the coming months. Thanks to residents for your continued cooperation.”