Council has provided an update on the ongoing work towards reopening Castle Inn Footbridge in Treforest – including details of recently-completed service diversions and an upcoming road closure this weekend.
The old bridge between River Street in Treforest and Cardiff Road in Glyntaff was demolished due to severe storm damage – and a replacement structure has been installed to reinstate the link over the river. With the bridge lifted into place, the Council previously informed residents about the remaining work that is required before the bridge can reopen. This includes sewer and utility diversions, and footway reinstatements on the approaches to the new bridge.
Despite best endeavours, as a result of unforeseen circumstances with the sewer diversion and the inclement weather so far this winter, the completion date for the works has been extended.
However, the sewer diversion is now complete, while Virgin Media and BT completed the transferral of their infrastructure last week (w/c January 8) – so all of the required services have now been diverted onto the new bridge.
This now allows the outstanding works to be completed on the River Street approach to the bridge, including the installation of pre-cast steps, streetlighting, footways, guardrails and fencing, as well as resurfacing. At Cardiff Road, the remaining work includes installing streetlights, guardrails, fencing and footways, along with completing a training wall. Work to the joint cover plates to the bridge itself will also be completed.
It is currently estimated that the footbridge will be reopened for the public’s use in February 2024, with the contractor continuing some works beyond that.
Required road closure on Saturday, January 20
Work to remove a catenary cable system needs to be completed with a crane and requires a road closure at Cardiff Road. This will take place from 6am on Saturday, January 20, lasting all day. There is the potential for the work to continue into Sunday, January 21, if needed. Local residents and businesses have been informed by letter, while signage is in place.
The arrangements will be similar to those of last summer’s road closure. Cardiff Road will close from the southern boundary of house number 27 in a northward direction (130 metres) to the junction with the A470 on-slip road. A map showing the closure area and alternative route is included here.
An alternative route for motorists, from the southern side of the closure, is via A4054 Cardiff Road, Upper Boat Roundabout, A470 northbound and Glyntaff Interchange. From the northern side of the closure, take this route in reverse order using the A470 southbound. Access will be maintained for pedestrians and to premises, but will not be maintained for emergency services. Cyclists should dismount and use the pedestrian diversion route at Cardiff Road.
All buses will be unable to serve Rhydyfelin and Hawthorn, and will divert via the A470 in both directions. A FREE shuttle bus operated by Adventure Travel Ltd will run from Glantaf Gardens in Rhydyfelin to The Pottery on Treforest Industrial Estate. Adventure Travel Ltd can be contacted on 02920 442040.
The shuttle bus will connect passengers with Services 120 and 132 for onward travel to Cardiff, Caerphilly, Pontypridd and the Rhondda. The shuttle bus timetable for Saturday (and Sunday if needed) is included here.
Meanwhile, the Adventure Travel Services 102 and 112 will operate via the Broadway, A470 to Tesco, Gellihirion Industrial Estate, Dynea Road, Holly Street, Dyffryn Road and Oak Street – before returning to their normal routes back to Tesco, A470, Glyntaff and Pontypridd. Service 104 will operate via Glyntaff, A470 to Tesco, Gellihirion Industrial Estate, Dynea Road, Holly Street, Dyffryn Road, Maesfield Way, Wordsworth Gardens and Holly Street, before resuming its normal route via Tesco, A470, Glyntaff and Pontypridd.
