Cardiff bridge to be reconstructed as modernisation of the South Wales Mainline continues

Thursday 12 Oct 2017

Cardiff bridge to be reconstructed as modernisation of the South Wales Mainline continues

Region & Route:: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Wales & Western

Network Rail engineers will begin demolishing Mardy Road bridge in Cardiff this weekend as part of the Railway Upgrade Plan to improve journeys for passengers.

The bridge, which connects Rumney and Newton, is currently too low to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed to power trains running on electricity. The 121-year-old bridge has reached the end of its lifespan and will now be replaced with a new and improved structure, designed to withstand modern city centre traffic.

Bill Kelly, chief operating officer for Network Rail in Wales, said: “We’re reconstructing Mardy Road bridge as part of our Railway Upgrade plan to prepare the railway for trains running on electricity.

“We care about the local community and I would like to thank residents for their patience and reassure them that we are doing all we can do keep noise and disruption to a minimum as we complete this essential upgrade work.

“We will continue to work collaboratively with Arriva Trains Wales, Great Western Railway and other partners to deliver a safe, reliable, affordable and growing railway for the people of Wales and the borders.”

The demolition phase of the work will run from 01.00 on Sunday 15 October until 03.00 on Monday 16 October, with the start of reconstruction work taking place from 01.00 on Sunday 22 October until 03.00 on Monday 23 October.

Preparatory works began on the bridge at the beginning of this year, with the bridge closing to traffic in late March.

This complex project involves ensuring the extensive number of utilities – including telecoms, electricity and water – are diverted from within the old structure and remain undisrupted throughout the duration of the upgrade work.

The existing footbridge located next to the bridge will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the duration of the work. The new bridge will be wider and will include footpaths, improving access on this busy pedestrian route. The reconstructed bridge is expected to reopen to motorists by autumn 2018.

For more information, please telephone our 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or email us at CRWales@networkrail.co.uk

Contact information

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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

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