[UPDATED: 11/10/23 – temporary bus arrangements have now been confirmed, and added into the article below]
The Council has confirmed the arrangements to lift the new Llanharan railway footbridge into position – requiring a single overnight road closure at Bridgend Road next Saturday evening (October 14) into Sunday morning.
The damaged footbridge adjacent to the railway bridge has previously been demolished, and its replacement structure has been constructed away from the works site. The operation to install the footbridge will take place between 8pm on Saturday, October 14, and 8am on Sunday, October 15.
A large crane will lift the footbridge into position, although this activity is highly-dependent upon appropriate weather conditions to safely proceed. If there are high winds, for example, the bridge lift will need to be postponed. The Council has booked possession of the railway line for the same time periods on the following weekend (October 21-22) as a contingency measure.
The lift requires a full road closure of the bridge – of Bridgend Road, from its junction with Chapel Road, south-westwards for around 80-metres. A map showing the closure area and an alternative route is included online here.
The alternative route for motorists is available via route A473 (Rose Terrace, Bridgend Road and New Road), Brynna Road, Grove Terrace, Hillside Avenue and route A473 (Bridgend Road) – or this route in reverse order. Access for emergency services, cyclists and pedestrians will not be maintained.
Bus arrangements for bridge lift
During the works, Stagecoach’s Service 404 that operates in the evening (Royal Glamorgan Hospital-Bridgend) will be unable to serve Llanharan and Brynna in both directions, and will therefore divert via Bryncae.
A FREE shuttle bus service will operate to and from the War Memorial Bus Stop in Llanharan to serve Brynna and Llanharan, and connect with Service 404 in both directions at the Film Studio Bus Stop. This will enable onward connections to Bridgend, Llanharry and Talbot Green.
The shuttle bus will be operated by Bella Road Services Ltd, and will run to the following timetable.
Additional works following the bridge lift
In the Council’s previous project update (September 22, 2023), it was outlined that following the successful bridge lift, the remaining on-site works will be completed over four to five weeks – before all traffic management is removed.
Site activity will include finishing works related to the new footbridge, and this will be followed by a series of local works that could not be completed during the length of the bridge scheme. A signalised pedestrian crossing near the Llanharan Community Shop will be installed, following requests from the community and Elected Members to improve pedestrian safety in the area.
The Council will also take the opportunity to repair some highway drainage, and carry out some carriageway resurfacing on the A473 between the bridge and the High Corner - including the entrance into Chapel Road.
Posted on 06/10/2023