Vale MP Alun Cairns has welcomed the news that the bridge renewal project at Ewenny has been re-assessed following urgent meetings held in Westminster and at Network Rail headquarters in Newport. Mr Cairns had previously called on Network Rail to ensure that interruption to the community to be minimised, and a new plan is being devised to see the road closure to be reduced from five months to around three.
Mr Cairns met with directors from Network Rail and Wales and West Utilities to press the need for a new plan. In the meeting, several issues were raised and contractors agreed to hasten initial preparatory and ground works before the new bridge is put in place.
Mr Cairns said: “In the past week I have had held two very constructive meetings with Network Rail and contractors. I am pleased that Network Rail has listened to my concerns on behalf of the community and has looked again in depth at how the new bridge project can go ahead. A significant reduction in the timescales is now realistic, and I will keep the pressure on Network Rail to identify further opportunities to shorten the project timings. The project will now begin in March and will end in June and it gives the community more time to prepare for the road closure.
He added “Everyone recognises the need for a new bridge, and following our meetings I am grateful to Network Rail for taking the concerns of the community seriously and acting. The closure will cause local issues, but we have made progress in a significant reduction in the time that the road will be closed.”