Work to start on bridge demolition

DEMOLITION work will start on a 121-year-old bridge in Cardiff this weekend.

Network Rail engineers will start demolishing Mardy Road Bridge from Sunday, which will be replaced with a new and improved structure.

Engineers say the bridge, which connects Rumney and Newton, is too low to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed to power trains running on electricity.

Bill Kelly, chief operating officer for Network Rail in Wales, said: “We’re reconstructing Mardy Road Bridge as part of our railway upgrade plan to prepare the railway for trains running on electricity. We care about the local community and I would like to thank residents for their patience, and reassure them that we are doing all we can to keep noise and disruption to a minimum as we complete this essential upgrade work.

“We will continue to work collaboratively with Arriva Trains Wales, Great Western Railway and other partners to deliver a safe, reliable, affordable and growing railway for the people of Wales and the Borders.”

The demolition phase of the work will run from 1am on Sunday, October 15, until 3am on Monday, October 16, with the start of reconstruction work taking place from 1am on Sunday, October 22, until 3am on Monday, October 23.

Preparatory works began on the bridge at the beginning of this year, with the bridge closing to traffic in late March.

The existing footbridge next to the Mardy Road Bridge will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists while work is carried out.