Media centre

Friday 22 Jul 2016

Beresford Road Bridge in Cardiff to temporarily close from this weekend as work to electrify the railway continues

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail is reminding people in Cardiff that Beresford Road Bridge in Cardiff city centre will close to road traffic from tomorrow (Saturday, 23 July) until spring 2017 as essential work to upgrade the railway continues.

The ageing steel road bridge between Beresford Road and Moorland Road, which connects Adamsdown and Splott, will close so that it can be replaced with a new and improved structure to accommodate a brand new fleet of electric trains beneath and withstand the modern city centre traffic above.

This upgrade work is all part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to electrify the South Wales Mainline, which will result in more seats, faster, more reliable journeys for passengers and better connectivity which will provide an economic boost for South Wales.

Network Rail has worked closely with Cardiff City Council on an appropriate road diversion route to minimise disruption to the public as much as possible. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the temporary footbridge located next to the bridge while the upgrade work is completed.

This extensive reconstruction project firstly involves Network Rail’s engineering ‘orange army’ carefully moving the essential utilities, such as water and gas, and placing them in the temporary footbridge. The removal of the road and pavements can then begin before the demolition of the existing bridge starts.

Over the weekend of 17-19 September a large crane will be used to remove the main bridge span. The new bridge deck will then be lifted in by crane during October before engineers can start work to rebuild the road and pavements and install the utilities back into the new road in preparation for the reopening in spring 2017.

Karl Gilmore, programme manager for Network Rail Wales said: “Reconstruction of this bridge is essential as we prepare the South Wales Mainline for electrification. Electrifying the railway will provide a faster, greener more reliable rail service for thousands of passengers, as well as less noise and cleaner air for those who live close to the railway.

“We have designed the programme of work to keep the disruption to the local community to a minimum however at critical milestones during the project this vital work will be noisy, particularly on the weekend of 17-19 September. We would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding while we carry out this essential upgrade work.”