Timelapse footage of new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists being installed

Fantastic timelapse film footage shows a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists being put in place over the River Ely in Cardiff.

The bridge forms part of a traffic-free cycling link which gets cyclists to Cowbridge Road East from Riverside Terrace and will also connect to the Ely Trail which will follow a traffic-free route along the river through the Ely Mill housing site.

The bridge and paths it connects to will also enable cyclists to avoid riding on a busy section of Cowbridge Road West.

Cowbridge Road West was 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 when the timelapse film footage was taken.

Watch it here at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbZYZ508GUs

The bridge is part of the second phase of Cardiff Council's Western Corridor Active Travel Project.

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.

Cardiff Council has received further funding this year from the Welsh Government to design segregated cycling facilities along the Cowbridge Road West corridor between the new river bridge and Grand Avenue.

These facilities will make it easier and safer to cycle between the Caerau and Ely areas and points east of the River Ely.

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.

Cllr Caro Wild, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport at 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."

Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates said: "It's great to see the bridge in place. We've helped fund this scheme as part of the wider £2.6m work being undertaken on the Western Active Travel Corridor in Cardiff and I look forward to seeing the difference it will make to walkers, cyclists and others along this stretch."