UPDATED: Please note, the road closure/bus arrangements outlined below will be repeated from 6.30am on Saturday, March 5, to 7pm on Sunday, March 6 – to continue the utility diversions. They will also continue during the same times on March 12-13, for Western Power Distribution utility diversions – and Saturday, March 26 (6.30am-5pm), to complete BT Openreach diversions.
A road closure and free shuttle bus service will be in operation at Cardiff Road, Glyntaff, from Friday evening through half term week – to enable utility diversions in preparation to replace Castle Inn Bridge this summer.
The footbridge has remained closed due to the severe structural damage sustained in Storm Dennis. The Council remains committed to maintaining a pedestrian access over the river, and a planning submission has been made for works to replace the existing bridge with a single span structure.
The utility work will allow Wales and West Utilities to divert its gas main apparatus, while Openreach, Virgin and Western Power Distribution will complete ducting work. Letters will be sent to local residents and businesses advising of the works.
This upcoming work will run from 11.30pm on Friday, February 18, to 5am on Monday, February 28 – utilising the school half term break to minimise disruption as much as possible. A road closure is required across a 30m section of A4054 Cardiff Road, near Castle Inn Bridge and numbers 15 and 16 Cardiff Road.
An alternative route for motorists, from the southern side of the closure, is via A4054, Upper Boat Roundabout, A470 northbound and Glyntaff Interchange. In the opposite direction, proceed via Glyntaff Interchange, A470 southbound, Upper Boat Roundabout and A4054 Cardiff Road. Access will be maintained for pedestrians, but will not be maintained for emergency service vehicles.
A map outlining the road closure can be found here
Free Shuttle Bus (serving Rhydyfelin, Hawthorn and Upper Boat)
Throughout the closure, all bus services will be unable to serve Rhydyfelin and Hawthorn – and will divert via the A470, resuming their normal route at Treforest Industrial Estate. In order to cover local journeys, the Council has arranged for a free shuttle bus to operate during the closure period.
The shuttle bus will be operated by NAT Group, and will travel through the main road stops in Rhydyfelin, Hawthorn and Upper Boat every 30 minutes from 6am-9pm on Mondays to Saturdays. An hourly service will be in operation from 8.55am-6.55pm on the two Sundays in the closure period.
The shuttle bus will depart Glantaf Gardens to connect with southbound services at the Pottery Bus Stop on Treforest Industrial Estate, for onward travel to Taff’s Well and Cardiff. It will also operate in the opposite direction at the Pottery Bus Stop, for northbound travel to Upper Boat, Hawthorn and Rhydyfelin.
On Sundays only, the NAT Group Service 112 (Old Ynysybwl to Nantgarw) will also divert via the A470 in both directions, but will cover its normal route by looping back through Nantgarw, Upper Boat Tesco and Rhydyfelin.
Please find the full shuttle bus timetable here
The Council would like to thank residents and road users in advance for their cooperation, as the necessary preparations are made to replace Castle Inn Bridge this summer and maintain the important link it carries for residents.
Posted on 16/02/2022