Vale MP Alun Cairns has welcomed the postponement of the bridge renewal project start date at Ewenny bridge following his meeting with Network Rail in Westminster, and the community in Ewenny and St Brides Major.
During the meeting with Network Rail, Mr Cairns said that the local community had not been sufficiently advised of plans with little or no signage surrounding the area, and a very short notice period. He said that the five month period of closure was unacceptable to local businesses and the village.
Following the meeting, Mr Cairns called on Network Rail to clarify the project requirements and whether contractors need access to the site for five months. Mr Cairns has contacted Wales and West Utilities, Arriva Trains, building contractor Balfour Beatty and the Vale of Glamorgan local authority to request that the new bridge scheme timings be reassessed. A new plan will allow a significantly shorter build period than the current five months and allow clarification on any compensation schemes that could be available for local traders.
Mr Cairns said: “I am pleased that Network Rail will delay the closure whilst plans are re-assessed and have committed to holding urgent discussions with contractors. I expect the time for this project to be significantly reduced, and have written to all parties involved on behalf of residents to express the strength of feeling on the matter. The postponement gives the community time to make plans for the closure, and I will continue to work with Network Rail on a daily basis to minimise the disruption for the communities surrounding the bridge.
He added “I am so angry that the communities in and around Ewenny and St Brides Major have been facing such an enormous period of disruption with so little consultation. I explained to Network Rail in no uncertain terms that this project appears to have been brought together with very little thought for the community. Giving a community just a few weeks’ notice of such a major infrastructure project is completely unacceptable, and I have asked Network Rail to review their procedures and working practices for future projects and not close the road in the meantime.”