Plaid Cymru Pontypridd On Your Side

Cllr Heledd Fychan - M.S. for South Wales Central has welcomed the announcement by RCT that work is scheduled to start on repairing the White Bridge.  The bridge has been closed since Storm Dennis in February 2020, causing chaos for road users and massively affecting the quality of life of many residents of Berw Road.

This news follows only 3 weeks after the launching of a petition calling for urgent action.

This is how RCT reported the news on their website:

Initial repairs to Berw Road Bridge in Pontypridd will start on Monday following the appointment of a contractor – which could enable the bridge to temporarily reopen this summer ahead of a full repair programme next year. 

The Council has appointed Kaymac Marine and Civil Engineering Ltd to carry out scour repairs, along with repairs to the pier and embankment, which will take place within the river. Work will start from Monday, June 7, scheduled for completion by the end of July. The first week of work will include mobilising the plant and delivery of materials, using an access track off Berw Road.

There may be some disruption to road users when the site accepts deliveries, which will be scheduled outside of peak travel times in order to minimise disruption. The contractor will write to local residents shortly, outlining the nature and full schedule of the work. The verge adjacent to bridge, used by residents for car parking, will be cordoned off to facilitate contractor access.

Once the work is complete, there will be a detailed inspection of the bridge to establish whether it can reopen to traffic on a temporary basis with loading restrictions – until further major repairs which could take place next year.

White Bridge suffered severe damage during Storm Dennis in February 2020, and has remained closed to the public to ensure safety. The Listed structure has been monitored by consultants Redstart, and the Council has worked with Cadw to gain the relevant consent for repair works. The scheme is further complicated by the presence of a gas main through a pipe on the bridge.

You can read the full statement here.