New traffic-free bridge for pedestrians and cyclists to be installed
A NEW bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will be put in place over the River Ely this weekend.
The bridge is part of a City of Cardiff Council project providing improvements for walking and cycling along Cowbridge Road East and Cowbridge Road West and Walkable Neighbourhoods in Ely and Caerau.
The new traffic-free walking and cycling route will make it easier for people living in Ely and Caerau to walk and cycle to destinations to the east of Ely Bridge and access the Ely Trail which will be extended to run through the Mill Housing Site via a riverside promenade.
The bridge is part of the second phase of the Western Corridor Active Travel Project and will be entirely separate from the River Ely road bridge. The second phase includes the new bridge and a shared path which will connect it with routes within the Mill Housing Site and the Ely Trail.
The first phase included a Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists and improved shared path facilities on Cowbridge Road East close to the Ely Bridge Roundabout.
The £290,000 bridge project has been funded through the Council's capital budget as well as substantial funding provided by Welsh Government through its Local Transport Fund Grant.
The Council has secured further Welsh Government Local Transport Fund grant funding for the 2017/18 financial year to investigate and design segregated cycling facilities along Cowbridge Road West, between Riverside Terrace and Grand Avenue. There will be full public consultation on these proposals later this year.
Funding has also been secured for Walkable Neighbourhoods measures in Caerau which will include a new Zebra crossing on Caerau Lane and new dropped kerbs in various locations.
Paul Carter, Head of Transport at City of Cardiff Council, said: "This new bridge is another great example of the improvements we are making for pedestrians and cyclists in Cardiff and will provide a safe route for walkers and cyclists away from the River Ely road bridge."
He added: "We are also looking into the possibility of segregated cycling facilities in the area and will be consulting with the public on those plans later this year."
Cowbridge Road West will be temporarily closed to enable the bridge, which has been designed and built by Raymond Brown Construction Ltd, to be lifted into position by a large crane this weekend.
Between 10pm on Saturday, May 6, and 7am on Sunday, May 7, there will be a road closure on Cowbridge Road West, starting at the junction with Vincent Street up to the junction with Western Avenue.
The new bridge will be brought in on an abnormal load vehicle with a police escort from Coryton roundabout. Both emergency vehicle and resident access to Riverside Terrace, Dyfrig Road, Station Terrace and Wroughton Place will be maintained during the road closure.
Diversion routes and signs will be in place. All heavy goods vehicles will have to use Western Avenue onto Manor Way, onto the M4 and take the A4232. All other vehicles can use Cowbridge Road East, Lansdowne Road, Leckwith Road, A4232 and onto Cowbridge Road West.