WORK to replace a bridge in the Rhondda, which people previously said has caused “terrible” traffic in the area, is due to be completed ahead of schedule by late November, the council has said.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said since the last update in early September, works have continued to progress well on the Maindy Road Bridge scheme in Ton Pentre and that it remains on course to be completed ahead of schedule by the end of November, weather permitting.
The bridge replacement at B4223 Maindy Road, near the police station and just south of the junction with The Parade, started in late July and at the time, local people described the impact the scheme was having on local traffic, saying it is “terrible” going through Ton Pentre.
One business owner said it was taking half an hour longer to deliver to Treorchy but others said there had been no impact on traffic in Treorchy itself.
The council said the structure is in a very poor condition and requires a bridge deck replacement – a process complicated by the presence of key utility apparatus for water, electricity, gas and fibre optic connections, which need to be diverted by other organisations.
In its September update, the council said the scheme was on course to be completed by late November (weather permitting).
In that update, the council said: “The bridge replacement is absolutely necessary, and it was acknowledged that the scheme would very likely cause unavoidable traffic disruption locally – particularly on the A4058 diversion route and at Stag Square.
“The council has closely monitored the situation to explore options to improve traffic flow – they include adjusting the Stag Square lights and altering waste collection times.”
New traffic arrangements between 8am and 6pm on weekdays, starting on October 5, include a manually-controlled stop/go system on the northern end of Bailey Street, at the Maindy Crescent junction, and towards the southern end of Bailey Street.
It also includes two small areas of on-street parking at Bailey Street – near Augusta Street – being brought out of use by a temporary single yellow line, a traffic marshal located near Ton Pentre Junior School at key morning and afternoon periods, and a traffic marshal located at the entrances to Augusta Street and Crawshay Street.
The authority said officers are continuing to work closely with contractors to accelerate this and reduce the time frame as much as possible, and the weekend working arrangements are designed to speed up the progress as much as possible.
The council said the complex traffic management changes, which have seen Bailey Street opened to accommodate local traffic (Cwmparc, the Bwlch and Treorchy Comprehensive) all day Monday to Friday, have been “working well” since their implementation and will continue to the end of the works.
Over the last two weeks, works completed include the diversion of the Wales and West Utilities gas main, the placement and installation of the precast deck sections, and the excavation and rebuilding of the wall outside number one Maindy Road.
The council said it would like to once again thank residents and commuters for their continued patience and co-operation.
