The first phase of the £30m Greater Bargoed Community
Regeneration Scheme in South Wales has been completed.
The scheme involves the removal of traffic from the congested
main streets of Bargoed by construction of a 3km relief road -
Angel Way - which enables traffic to bypass the town while
providing access to a new retail development, part of a major
regeneration package for the former coal mining
community.
The Welsh Assembly Government’s Deputy First Minister - Ieuan
Wyn Jones AM - and the town’s Mayor - Cllr John Evans - attended an
official event to celebrate completion of the Angel Way bypass and
Retail Development Plateau.
Capita Symonds is providing a full range of consultancy services
including design, project management, construction supervision and
contract administration while a Hochtief Griffiths Joint Venture is
the main contractor on behalf of client Caerphilly County Borough
Council (CCBC). The ambitious project comprises four major
engineering elements -
1) The Rhymney River Bridge: Featuring a
graceful concrete arch design, this 130 metre long bridge forms a
landmark structure that sympathetically reflects its location in a
country park. The bridge reaches a full height of 24 metres above
the valley floor where it crosses the Rhymney River.
2) Bargoed Newydd Viaduct: The 200 metre
viaduct traverses the valley connecting the new road with the
retail plateau and providing access to the southern end of the
town. The elegantly curving structure comprises three metre deep
beams supported on circular columns and is the principal new cross
valley link between the communities of Gilfach, Bargoed and
Aberbargoed.
3) The Railway Tunnel: A new 150 metre long
tunnel has been constructed at the end of the existing railway
station. The span of the tunnel is 13 metres and, with the adjacent
retaining walls, it will provide support for a new Bus Station and
nearby Roundabout.
4) Retail Development Plateau: A 2.2 hectare
retail plateau has been constructed from spoil material excavated
from the former Bargoed Colliery tip. At 300 metres long and up 20m
high, it is believed to be the largest tiered, reinforced
embankment of its type in the UK.
The scheme is a true partnership success story involving the public and private sectors and, most importantly, the local community.
The Angel Way road scheme is funded with by Welsh Assembly
Transport Grant while the Retail Plateau is funded through
Regeneration Grant, also provided by the Assembly Government
Cllr Lindsay Whittle, Leader of Caerphilly County Borough
Council, said: “The regeneration of local communities is a key
priority for Caerphilly County Borough Council and Bargoed is one
of our main commitments. Therefore I am absolutely thrilled to be a
part of this historic event that signals an exciting new future for
Bargoed. The scheme is a true partnership success story involving
the public and private sectors and, most importantly, the local
community.”
Ian Smith, Project Manager, Capita Symonds, said "This has been
an extremely challenging project which will play a vital role in
regenerating the local area by providing integrated transport
links. The first phase of the project to provide the transport
infrastructure and retail development plateau is now
complete and design work already underway on the next
phase to rejuvenate the town centre and provide a new pedestrian
link to the bus station. The project will revitalise civic pride in
the town with the prospect of the new development bringing many new
employment opportunities.”
Picture Shows : Cllr Lindsay Whittle, Leader of
Caerphilly County Borough Council; Welsh Assembly Government’s
Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM; Cllr Ron Davies, Cabinet
Member for Regeneration and Countryside, Caerphilly County Borough
Council.