Undergrowth Cut Back

Before any works can commence all trees and vegetation must be cut back. This has to be done before birds start nesting. Conservationists gather all slow worms and other creatures and relocate them to a safe area.

The collection is done over a number of days then fencing is erected to stop anything returning


Plastic sheeting is placed at the bottom of the fencing to stop any creatures getting back through.

You can see the lighter plastic at the bottom of the fencing on both sides of the picture

March 2007

This is a view of the area just before the real work commences in March 2007

Where Has The Time Gone

Sorry for not keeping you up to date with progress on the road but I have been busy on other projects and it wasn't until I had the email from Traven that I realised how for behind I was.

So here goes time to get busy.
As I have already stated the Bargoed Relief Road got underway in March 2007.

The road was commissioned by Caerphilly County Borough Council
Designed by Capita Symonds.
Construction by Hochtief Griffiths.
Funded by a Transport Grant from the Welsh Assembly Government.

The cost of the 2.2 km road is £25 million

The infrastructure features 2km of cycleways as well as a number of impressive structures and cross valley links including:
A 120m arched River Bridge.
A 200m Viaduct spanning the valley.
A new railway tunnel and bus station.

The weather for the first few months was fantastic and the construction contractors Hochtief Griffiths took advantage of it to the full and were soon in advance of their estimated time scale.
A good job because unforeseen elements underground have slowed them down quite a bit.
Less words more pictures I hear you say.

So I will compile the first few months of the construction for you.

Thanks Traven

Thanks Traven for your comments on the blog. It's good to know that someone is reading it and as far away as the Far East.
As for the Bargoed By Pass/Relief Road it has caused a lot of discussion mostly in favour. We have been waiting for over 20 years for the road to come and been put behind other projects continually. Many thought that they would never live to see it started and some haven't! But at last it has started.
My opinion is guarded, in the long term it has to be of benefit as long as it is in conjunction with the regeneration of the town and the proposed "Superstore", multiplex cinema and new bus station are all completed.
On it's own I fear it will take passing trade away from the town has it has done in other valley towns where they have had a by pass ie Ystrad Mynach and Llanbradach also in the Rhymney Valley.
Hopefully the short term pain will be our long term gain and we in the Bargoed area have patience.