Media centre

Wednesday 18 Feb 2015

Network Rail’s new bridge programme will reduce road closure time for drivers in Vale of Glamorgan

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail has reduced the time it will take to replace an ageing railway bridge in the Vale of Glamorgan with a larger and improved structure. The new bridge will help to reduce a road traffic bottleneck as well as future-proofing the railway for electrification.

Work to transform St Brides Road bridge, between Ewenny and St Brides Major on the B4265, was scheduled to start on 2 February. However, following concerns from the local community, Network Rail has worked closely with utility providers to reduce the time the bridge is closed to traffic.

Thanks to the cooperation of these utility providers, including Wales & West Utilities, who are carrying out some work before the bridge closes, the timetable for the project has been revised. The bridge will remain open to traffic until 16 March, six weeks later than originally scheduled. The bridge will then close for work to be carried out and reopen, as originally planned, at the end of June.

Graeme Tandy, route delivery director 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 and we are working closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to deliver an improved bridge.

“Following concerns raised by the local community, MP and AM regarding these plans, we have reviewed our work programme to investigate all opportunities to reduce the overall time the bridge is closed.

“We are grateful for the cooperation of the utility service companies which has allowed us to reduce the amount of time the bridge is closed.

“The bridge will now close to traffic on 16 March, six weeks later than originally scheduled, and will remain closed until the end of June. I apologise for any inconvenience this will cause and I’d like to thank drivers and residents in the area for bearing with us as we do this vital work.”

The bridge 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.

It 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.

Network Rail has worked closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council regarding a diversionary route. 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.