UPDATED: 09/08/24 - confirmed shuttle bus arrangements (added to the bottom of the news item)
Originally published on 29/07/24
The Council is giving advanced notice of a significant scheme to reconstruct a highway retaining wall at Margaret Street in Pontygwaith – which will rectify a long-standing issue with the structure caused by storm damage.
The scheme will rebuild a 40-metre section of the wall and carry out significant repairs to the remainder of the structure. The extensive project is necessary to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the wall – using heavy machinery and specialised construction techniques to rebuild the wall effectively.
The completed scheme will improve the safety and structural integrity of the wall, providing a long-term solution to the issues that are currently faced. It is being funded via the Council’s 2024/25 Highways and Transportation Capital Programme, within a £6.58m budget identified for Highways Structures.
The Council has confirmed that the scheme will start on Monday, August 12, and is scheduled for completion in late autumn 2024. Hammonds ECS is appointed as the contractor to deliver the work on site.
A local road closure at Margaret Street is required throughout, running from number 43 Margaret Street to a point near number 6 Lewis Terrace – with local traffic being diverted via Pontygwaith and Wattstown. An alternative route is available via Aberllechau Road, the A4233 and Llewellyn Street. Access will be maintained for pedestrians, to premises, and for emergency service vehicles. Cyclists should dismount and take the pedestrian route.
A local shuttle bus service will be in operation to facilitate public transport during the road closure – to minimise the impact on the local community.
Home to school transport services will continue throughout the closure. Pupils will be advised of any alterations to their timetable or pick-up arrangements.
The Council will provide regular updates to residents throughout the duration of the scheme, to keep the community informed of the project’s progress and changes to the schedule. The existing traffic management measures currently in place on Margaret Street will be removed upon completion of the project.
Confirmed shuttle bus service
A FREE shuttle bus service, operated by Stagecoach, will run between the Calfaria bus stop in Wattstown and the Cosmo Brewery Terrace bus stop in Pontygwaith.
The full shuttle bus timetable can be found on the following link on the Council’s website.
The service will depart Calfaria bus stop and travel via the bypass onto Jubilee and Surgery bus stops, before progressing into Pontygwaith as far as Cosmo Brewery Terrace bus stop.
On the return journey, onward connections to other northbound and southbound services, including Services 124 and 132, will be available from Jubilee and Surgery bus stops.
The shuttle bus will then return to Calfaria Bus Stop via the bypass.
Other temporary arrangements for local services
Services 124, 132, 155 and X32 will be unable to serve Wattstown, while Services 124, 132 and X32 will be unable to serve Pontygwaith. Service 155 will operate its normal route through Pontygwaith.
Service 133 (Llwyncelyn-Wattstown), operated by Thomas of Rhondda, will run as normal.
Bus stops at Margaret Street in Pontygwaith and Lewis Terrace in Wattstown will be brought out of use. Passengers should use the nearest alternatives at Cosmo Brewery Terrace or Calfaria respectively.
Updated timetables for the closure period will be placed at all bus stops throughout Pontygwaith and Wattstown.
Posted on 09/08/2024