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A bridge to a


brighter future


A town centre strategic review conducted by Capita Symonds in 2009 suggested a redevelopment of the central riverside area of the town as the fi rst phase in a wider regeneration masterplan. Not only would this redevelopment make the riverside area an attractive destination and a place worth investing in, but it would also in turn facilitate future expansion and regeneration.


In 2010, the proposal became a reality when Merthyr Tydfi l County Borough Council was awarded a £24.2 million investment for the regeneration programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and Welsh Government.


Central to the riverside development was the building of a new highway bridge across the River Taff to connect both banks of the riverside development. “The new bridge is extremely important,” explains Daniel Francis, project manager for Merthyr Tydfi l County Borough Council. “The land to the south of the bridge was landlocked, but the bridge will open that area up for future development.


APRIL 2014


The Welsh valleys have been hard hit in the last century by the decline in the region’s traditional coal, iron, steel and manufacturing industries. With little in the way of major industries arriving to replace them, and many once-prosperous industrial towns in remote inland locations, large areas have fallen into decline. Merthyr Tydfi l, at one time the largest town in Wales, is one such town


“The bridge will be central to the regeneration programme and will become a landmark that represents the town’s future”


“As the project is a regeneration scheme, the project sponsor and regeneration manager Gavin Lewis, who secured the funding for the regeneration programme, wanted something that would be a feature and not a typical highway bridge structure. We had a number of options and these went out to consultation with the local planning and highways authorities, together with the other relevant stakeholders. The favoured design was for a bridge that featured an iconic arch.”


A Welsh project


Thursday 20 February was a historic day for the people of Merthyr Tydfi l as the town witnessed the erection of the steel arch of the new River Taff Central Link Bridge.


The 136 ton arch, which measures 40.9 metres across its base and 18.5 metres in height, was manufactured by Welsh bridge specialist Mabey Bridge at a cost of £993,000


and was installed in partnership with leading Welsh civil engineering company Alun Griffi ths (Contractors), the principal contractor on the project, making this a very ‘Welsh’ project.


“In terms of the procurement process, Merthyr Tydfi l County Borough Council used the South East Wales Highway Framework,” continues Daniel Francis.


The arch being lowered into position


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