Councillors Approve New Bridge Over Torfaen Canal for Cwmbran Development
Councillors have given the green light for a new bridge across the Torfaen canal, linking housing developments in Cwmbran
Cwmbran, Torfaen, Wren’s Nest, Maes Gwyn, Bridge 46, Taylor Wimpey
But there’s a catch. They need to sort out a Construction and Environmental Management Plan first. This plan will lay out how they’re going to build the bridge and what they’ll do to keep things eco-friendly.
The council’s planning consultant, Duncan Smith, mentioned that there are some concerns from the local group, Bridge 46. They’re worried that the initial plan didn’t cover everything they wanted. So, the builders, Taylor Wimpey, have to revise their plan before they can start any work.
Construction is expected to take about a year to a year and a half. The revised plan will also need to include details about how they’ll manage the environment during the build, like draining the canal temporarily and finding alternative routes for people when the towpath is closed.
Duncan also pointed out that this is a big job and will cause some disruption. The bridge will connect homes on both sides of the canal, making it easier for residents to get around.
It’s going to be a 35-meter-long bridge, designed for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. It’ll be built to fit in with the look of other canal bridges in the area.
However, the road leading to the bridge is really close to some homes, which has raised some eyebrows. The council wants to make sure the residents are protected from any noise or disruption.
Some councillors are a bit worried about how the last bridge construction went down. There was a lot of upset in the community back then, and they want to avoid that this time.
They’re also planning to consult a disabled access forum to make sure everyone can use the diversion paths. Four trees will be cut down for the project, but they’ll create a new woodland area and have a lighting plan to protect local wildlife.
Last year, they changed a condition about when the bridge needed to be built, and it seems like the pandemic played a part in the delays. So, fingers crossed, this time things go a bit smoother!