Media centre

Monday 21 Feb 2005

ROAD CLOSURE ESSENTIAL FOR RAILWAY MAINTENANCE

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Essential bridge works will be taking place over the next 12 weeks in Mountain Ash.  As a result, the road over the railway and river from Cardiff Street to Commercial Road will be closed overnight and all day on Sundays from 24 February until 26 March and totally closed from 26 March to 30 March. Peter Leppard, Network Rail’s Acting Western Route Director, said: “It is necessary to carry out these works to maintain the safe running of the railway and continue to provide public access into Mountain Ash town centre. “The current structure is 120 years old and is nearing its life expiry. All options have been investigated and through discussions with the council it was agreed complete renewal would be the least disruptive in the long term." The majority of the work will take place during night-time or weekends when there is reduced traffic both on the road and on the Aberdare railway line.  Network Rail will take all steps to ensure minimum disturbance is experienced by the local community. The project to replace the bridge will be undertaken in two stages.  The first phase will be carried out from 24 February until 26 March when gas and water service diversions will be undertaken.  A road closure and diversion will be in place from 10pm to 7am Monday to Saturday and 10pm Saturday to 7am Monday.    Safe pedestrian access will be available at this time. Demolition and replacement of the bridge will take place from 10pm on Saturday 26 March until Wednesday 30 March when the road will closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.