Important progress is being made with ongoing work to repair the Afon Cynon Bridge on the A4059 near Cwmbach – and the next phase of work requires 10 night-time road closures for bridge joint replacements. These will take place between July 6-15, and are scheduled at night to greatly minimise disruption.
The major structure is positioned on the stretch of road between Cwmbach and Asda roundabouts, spanning the river and railway line. An important and complex maintenance scheme was started last year, and contractor Horan Construction Ltd resumed work in April 2026 for completion later this year.
This year’s programme will install bearings, complete concrete repairs to the front faces of the abutments and ballast walls, replace bridge deck joints with new movement joints, replace a section of damaged parapet, make masonry wall repairs, carry out maintenance painting, and undertake footpath repairs.
Recent work on site has replaced the structure’s bearings, as the bridge was jacked over several weeks. This enabled the work to proceed safely with the bridge remaining open for traffic, under a vehicle weight limit. The bridge was recently de-jacked on July 23 following completion, with the weight limit lifted.
The scheme is now moving onto the next stage – undertaking expansion joint replacements. These are scheduled across 10 night shifts (8pm to 5am) on consecutive nights from Monday, July 6, to Wednesday, July 15. The final night shift will therefore end by 5am on Thursday, July 16.
The traffic management during these works will replicate the arrangements used recently, with a full road closure needed on each of the nights. Access will not be maintained for emergency services, pedestrians, nor to premises.
An alternative route for motorists will be signposted via Canal Road, Cwmbach Road, Ynys Roundabout and the A4059 bypass. To avoid the low railway bridge, tall vehicles should instead proceed via Canal Road, Cwmbach Road, Wellington Street, Meirion Street Roundabout and the A4059 bypass. The closure and alternative route are shown on the following map.
Please note, the public right of way beneath the bridge remains closed, to ensure public and workforce safety as we deliver this important scheme Thanks to residents and road users for your continued cooperation.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Capital Infrastructure, said: “The Council is delivering a huge repair and maintenance programme to ensure Structures across the County Borough – that we reply upon to support our road network – are fit-for-purpose and future-proofed. Our investment in the 2026/27 capital programme is more than £12.2 million, with many schemes needing to contend with complex rules and arrangements around river working and operating near a live railway.
“We’ll continue to invest in this area as a priority – with key schemes for William Edwards Bridge in Pontypridd, Cynon Star Bridge in Abercynon, the Machine Bridges in Treforest, Mountain Ash Town Bridge, Miskin Manor Bridge, Darren Ddu Bridge in Ynysybwl, and Nantygwyddon Road Bridge in Llwynypia, just a few of the named schemes in this year’s programme.
“Work on the Afon Cynon Bridge in Cwmbach has continued to make good progress since work resumed in April. The recent replacement of the bridge’s bearings was an important milestone, and we’re now moving onto delivering expansion joint replacements. We’re aware of the importance of this stretch of road along the A4059, which is why we’re using 10 night shifts from July 6-15, to significantly reduce disruption. Thanks to residents and commuters for your cooperation as we deliver this important repair scheme throughout the year.”
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Posted on 01/07/2026