Council Investment In Mountain Ash Bridge
Improvement works are set to take place on Mountain Ash footbridge.
The footbridge, which is the main link for Mountain Ash Comprehensive school pupils to cross the busy A4059, is set to be repaired, restored and painted, thanks to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s multi-million-pound (£23m) Highways, Transportation, Infrastructures and Strategic Projects (HTISP) Investment Programme.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is investing up to £75,000 to undertake a project to ensure the much-used bridge is protected and in tip-top condition for when the school re-opens in September.
In order to carry out these essential works the bridge is being completely removed so that the works can be carried out quickly and safely with minimum disruption to the busy A4059.
This bridge forms a vital link for school pupils between Mountain Ash and the School – these works are being carried out during the summer holidays to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum.
Works will begin on Sunday 31st July and are expected to be completed by the end of August. During this time there will be some inconvenience to pedestrians as the important painting and safety repairs are undertaken. Diversionary signs will be placed at key locations to ensure that the disruption is kept to a minimum.
In order to remove/replace the bridge a series of road closures will need to be enforced along the A4059 – these are scheduled to take place (weather permitting) on Sunday 31st July from 12am – 7am and on Sunday 21st August from 12am – 7am. Diversions will be in place during this time via B4275.
During this three week period, GCSE and A-level results days will be held at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School – to ensure that school pupils can access the school, a temporary pedestrian crossing will be placed along the A4059 so that pupils can cross the road safely – this is likely to cause some minor disruption to traffic along the A4059 for a very short period of time.
Over £53m has already been invested in improving and repairing the County Borough’s Highways and Transportation Infrastructures and on Strategic Projects since 2011.
This work demonstrates Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s commitment to maintain and improve the road infrastructure for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Councillor Andrew Morgan, who is also Cabinet Member for Highways, said:
“The Cabinet recognises the importance of investing in our key priorities, that is why we have allocated £200m over the next three years to improve areas such as Leisure and Outdoor Leisure Facilities, Play Areas, Highways and Structures, Transport Infrastructure, Flood Alleviation, Schools, Recycling Facilities, Housing and Town and Village Centres.
“We will be investing over £23m in Highways Improvements, Infrastructure, and Strategic Projects over the next three years – this is on top of the £53m we have already invested since 2011 meaning that by 2018/19 we will have invested over £76m in these key areas in less than a decade.
“The refurbishment works to the footbridge bridge will not only see the bridge sandblasted and repainted, but it also gives engineers the opportunity to carry out specialist safety repairs. The works will also improve this well-used safe route for local pupils to walk to school via the improved facilities and route for pedestrians.
“Whilst this work demonstrates the Council’s commitment to maintain and improve structures for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors alike, the targeted works are likely to cause disruptions to pedestrians and motorists and I would reassure our residents that every measure has been taken to minimise this where possible. I would like to urge residents to continue to support us whilst these essential works are carried out as it is for their longer term benefit.”
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