Barry Wrides Crossing – Transport for Wales Work

Background

Transport for Wales (TfW) are due to undertake work on the Barry Wrides footbridge scheme in Llandaff, this includes closing the current level crossing near Llandaff Station.

Owing to the increase in service frequency planned to be introduced following the completion of the South Wales project, coupled with the much quieter electric tram-trains that will run through Llandaff station, the level crossing just south of the station is required to close.

The level crossing was closed in September 2022 to allow TfW to progress with their works to electrify the Pontypridd to Cardiff line.

TfW will be replacing this level crossing with a new footbridge, providing safe access to each side of the railway line. The footbridge will provide a connection from Wingfield Road to Colwinstone Close via an existing footpath running through the playing field, known locally as ‘The Fram’.

Key Points

In March 2022, TfW held a community drop-in session to show a proposed ramped design of the footbridge, as well as to show alternatives to the public.

Following feedback from the local community, the design of the bridge was altered to include ramp access from Wingfield Road onto the bridge deck and steps down to the allotment side of the railway line. It will be built with future aspirations of adding a ramp to the structure on the allotment side.

To allow TfW to construct the new footbridge, they will need to acquire parcels of land adjacent to the bridge on both a temporary and permanent basis.

TfW needs to permanently acquire 135 square meters of allotment land from Cardiff Council for the bridge footprint. Negotiations are ongoing, including how to re-accommodate displaced allotment tenants.
Additionally, TfW needs to temporarily use statutory allotment land and a section of the playing fields to construct a compound site for materials and welfare facilities.

Trees: The compound layout has been designed to minimize the impact on trees. Some trees will need to be removed, but we will focus on retaining more valuable specimens and replant in accordance with a landscaping plan.

POS notice: A Public Open Space (POS) notice is required for the temporary loss of the public open space on the playing field. The notice was advertised last week and there is a 28-day period for public comment.

Timeline: Access to the site will begin in August 2023, with construction of the compound site starting in September 2023. The compound will be in use until May/June 2024, when it will be demobilized and the area landscaped. The footbridge is scheduled to open to the public in April 2024.

Ramp: The footbridge will be initially designed for foot and bike use, but a ramp can be retrofitted in the future when funding becomes available.
If by the time funding becomes available further options have been developed which would be more acceptable to the community to make the bridge fully accessible, these could also be introduced to the current design.

It is the intention of TfW to hold a second community drop-in event, where residents can speak to our project managers about the upcoming works, to discuss any concerns they may have.

The full plans and associated paperwork can be found at the Cardiff Council Planning Portal using reference: 23/00606/FUL.