Client: Rhondda Cynon Taf
County Borough Council
Project Value:
£1.5m
Start/ completion: February 2010 - January
2011
Services Provided: Design, planning application,
CPO preparation, public consultation, CDM Coordinator, road
safety audit, procurement, contract supervision
The Project
The Abercynon Park and Ride scheme
forms part of the local and national strategy to develop a more
sustainable transport system and reduce dependency on
cars.
The project involved the provision of a 160
space Park and Ride facility to serve the Abercynon railway
station. Access to the proposed Park and Ride for both pedestrians
and vehicles was created via a new 62m span bridge that crosses the
River Taff. In addition, a new reinforced concrete ramp was
constructed to facilitate pedestrian access to the existing subway
and railway platform.
The project was developed for the local
authority over several years, starting with initial optioneering,
refinement through planning and detailed design, leading to
procurement management, and finally construction supervision.
The design and construction had to overcome
difficulties related with ground contamination, works adjacent to a
live railway, and poor access to the main part of the site via an
existing narrow bridge with a weight restriction. These impacted on
the design methodology, construction programme and the contractor’s
method of working.
Prior to construction commencing, methods of
working were agreed with Network Rail to mitigate risk to the
railway. Environment Agency consent was required to work above and
within the flood sensitive river channel, and sustainable drainage
solutions were used to meet the local authority’s requirements.
Collaborative working throughout the project
with Network Rail, Environment Agency, Sustrans and the local
authority was key to its success.