Significant wall repairs in Pontygwaith entering final few days

The significant ongoing scheme to reconstruct a highway retaining wall at Margaret Street in Pontygwaith is nearing completion, with the road closure on course to be lifted by Friday evening following final resurfacing work.

The Council began this important scheme during mid-August 2024, to rectify a long-standing issue that was previously caused by storm damage to the wall. The scheme has made continued progress throughout summer and autumn, and has rebuilt a large section of the structure, over around 40 metres.

A road closure at Margaret Street has been essential to ensure safe progress throughout the work, due to the use of heavy machinery and specialist construction techniques. A shuttle bus has also been in operation between Wattstown and Pontygwaith, along with other temporary bus arrangements.

Final resurfacing works will be undertaken by the Council's contractor in the later part of this week, which will then enable the road closure to be lifted by the evening of Friday, November 22, subject to fair weather.

All temporary traffic management that was in place before the scheme started will also be removed, while all local bus services will return to their normal operation and the temporary shuttle bus will be ended thereafter.

The scheme has been delivered via the Council's 2024/25 Highways and Transportation Capital Programme, within its funding for Highway Structures.

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: "I'm pleased that this major scheme in Pontygwaith is now entering its final stages, with an estimated completion date of November 22. It has improved the structural integrity of the highway retaining wall, providing a long-term solution to the issues faced due to its condition. Temporary traffic lights were put in place for a significant period of time prior to the works, as an essential safety measure.

"The Council continues to make progress with a large programme to repair and maintain highway structures in 2024/25 - with £6.58m initially allocated in this year's Highways and Transportation Capital Programme. An additional £2.25m was then agreed during September 2024 as part of a wider, one-off investment in Council priority areas. This extra funding will progress five further bridge or retaining wall schemes - located in Porth, Stanleytown, Glyntaff, Ynyshir and Trehafod - during the remainder of the financial year.

"I'd like to thank residents and road users in Pontygwaith and surrounding communities for their cooperation during the repair work. We understand the local disruption that the necessary road closure has caused - and it will soon be lifted upon completion of the scheme, which is entering its final few days."

Posted on 19/11/2024