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Work to replace a footbridge damaged nearly four years ago is set to be completed this year, Transport for Wales has said.

The Tynygraig footbridge, which goes over the Rhymney railway line in Llanbradach, was struck by a skip lorry in 2020 – and is yet to be replaced despite a pledge to do so.

In a letter to Plaid Cymru Senedd Members Delyth Jewell and Peredur Owen Griffiths, Transport for Wales (TfW) chief executive James Price apologised for the length of time it has taken – and said the aim is for the bridge to be replaced before the end of 2024.

However, Ms Jewell and Mr Owen Griffiths, who represent the South Wales East region, criticised the “ridiculous” delays.

‘Complicated‘

In the letter, Mr Price said the work to replace the footbridge has “proved far more complicated than initially envisaged”.

He said the process had involved “land acquisition, modifying plans to consider current safety standards, and a review of engineering techniques”.

Mr Price admitted it had “gone on far too long” and said he has asked colleagues to oversee the project directly, not through “our infrastructure partners”.

‘A number of complexities’

Hefin David, Labour Senedd Member for Caerphilly, said he has been working with TfW and Caerphilly Skip Hire since the Tynygraig bridge was damaged.

He said: “There have been a number of complexities around the replacement of the bridge, including consideration of overhead line equipment, which is needed as part of the electrification of the Rhymney line. But also, legal issues surrounding the acquisition of land, before any work could go ahead”.

He continued: “We have to remember that the accident happened right in the middle of the pandemic too, which undoubtedly slowed things down further.

“But while it has taken longer than anticipated, there is progress being made, it has just been a particularly complicated project.

“TfW continue to assure me that they are committed to reinstating the bridge it as soon as they can.”

Railway station footbridge

However, despite progress on the Tynygraig footbridge, a damaged bridge at Llanbradach railway station will take longer to fix.

A temporary footbridge was fitted at the station after the original Grade II listed bridge was hit by a railway maintenance vehicle in early 2022.

Mr Price, in his letter, confirmed restoration drawings for the footbridge were currently under review, but work was not planned until the 2025/26 financial year so the Tynygraig footbridge could be prioritised.

‘Ridiculous’

In a joint-statement, Ms Jewell and Mr Owen Griffiths said: “It is ridiculous that it has taken this long to repair two damaged bridges which have caused a lot of inconvenience to the people of Llanbradach.

“There will also be disappointment that the station bridge is not scheduled for restoration until 2025/26 as the temporary bridge is a poor substitute for the real thing.

“We would like to see this brought forward as the people of Llanbradach have suffered long enough.”

They said they would, along with Llanbradach councillors Colin Mann and Gary Enright, be “keeping a close eye” on the situation over the coming weeks and months.