Media centre

Friday 9 Jan 2015

Local traffic bottleneck to be reduced with new £2m bridge

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Residents are being invited to a drop-in session to find out more about a project to replace an ageing railway bridge in the Vale of Glamorgan with a larger and improved structure, which will help improve traffic flow.

St Brides Road bridge, between Ewenny and St Brides Major on the B4265, will be transformed from a one-lane bridge to a structure with increased capacity which can support two lanes of traffic and a pedestrian footway.

The bridge is also being raised slightly so that it will be able to accommodate any future electrification plans.

The £1.9m project to strengthen the bridge, which is coming to the end of its life, is jointly funded by Network Rail and the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Residents wishing to find out more details about this important project can attend a community event being held on Monday 19 January at St Brides Major Church in Wales Primary School between 3pm and 7pm. Members of the Network Rail project team and the Vale of Glamorgan Council will be on hand to answer any questions and explain how the work will be carried out.

Loren Curry, programme manager for Network Rail Wales, said: “We are rebuilding St Brides Road bridge as part of our work to provide a modern, bigger and better railway for Wales.

“The bridge is coming to the end of its life and therefore needs to be replaced. We’ve worked closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to deliver an improved bridge. This is a great example of partnership working that will ultimately deliver a better bridge with improved traffic flow.

“We have carefully planned the work to be completed in the safest and most efficient way. I apologise for any inconvenience caused and I’d like to thank drivers and residents in the area for bearing with us as we do this vital work.”

Cllr Rob Curtis, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “This work is great news for both drivers and pedestrians as the new bridge will provide not only increased capacity for cars but also a new footpath. We are very pleased to be able to work in partnership with Network Rail to improve the road network for Vale residents.”

In order for work to be carried out safely, it is necessary to temporarily close part of the B4265 from Monday 2 February for five months.

Network Rail has worked closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council regarding a diversionary route, which will be clearly signposted. Both Network Rail and the Vale of Glamorgan Council apologise for any inconvenience caused during this essential work and will do everything possible to minimise disruption.

Residents who would like additional information can call Network Rail’s 24-Hour National Helpline on 08457 11 41 41 or the Vale of Glamorgan Council on 01446 700111.