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Latest updates: Culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla

Here you can find the latest updates about the construction works to replace the culvert at Castle Drive, Cimla.

9th March 2023 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla 

Utility diversions were completed in February and the remaining culvert units were installed.

One lane of the road will be open by the end of March with the other lane opening following completion of the parapets and landscaping works.

Here is a summary of work for the coming weeks:

Week Commencing 6th March 2023

  • Steel fixers to assemble reinforcement in upstream wing walls
  • Pour concrete to the base of the wing wall
  • Sealing of joints in culvert                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Week Commencing 13th March 2023

  • Steel fixers to shutter stem of wing wall
  • Pouring of concrete to stem of wing wall
  • Shutter and pouring of concrete to downstream head wall

6th February 2023 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla 

Here is a roundup of the work that was completed last week and what is planned for this week: 

Week Commencing 30th January 2023 

  • The sewer diversion has been completed and is now live 
  • The water main diversion is in place and currently being chlorinated prior to connection 
  • Gas main diversion pipe is in place 

Week Commencing 6th February 2023 

  • Water main diversion connection by Welsh Water to be completed 
  • Gas main diversion connection By Wales and West Utilities to be completed once Welsh Water pull off site. 
  • Reinstatement of the downstream footpath to begin as soon as utility companies are off site. 

18th January 2023 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla 

The legal agreement for the sewer diversion has been received so work can now resume. 

Access across the site will be limited in the coming weeks during the diversionary works. 

Week Commencing 16th January 2023 

  • Construction of new chamber 
  • Completion of sewer diversion 
  • Back filling and compaction of fill material 
  • Preparation for water main diversion by Welsh Water (scheduled 26th January) 

Week Commencing 23rd the January 2023 

  • Back filling and compaction of fill material 
  • Water main diversion by Welsh Water to be completed (scheduled 26th January) 
  • Preparation for gas main diversion By Wales and West Utilities (scheduled 6th February) 
  • Placing of ducts for BT diversion. 

19 December 2022 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla

Week Ending 16th December 2022

Here is a roundup of what work has been carried out to date.

• Excavation for chambers and pipework of new sewer alignment
• placing of new sewer and backfill
• Construction of new chamber
• Securing of site for Christmas

New Year

Once permission is received from Welsh Water the new sewer can be connected to the existing sewer. This will allow for further backfilling to be carried out and the remaining service diversion to be completed.
When all diversions are completed, the remaining culvert units can be placed and work can start on the upstream headwalls, wing walls and backfilling to reinstate the road.

16 November 2022 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla

Work on site has been limited for a few weeks while we wait for agreements from utility companies to carry out the diversionary works to the sewer, gas main and water main.

Half of the culvert units have been placed and back filling has started. This will allow the diversion of the services from the upstream half of the site.

Access to pedestrians will likely be limited in the coming weeks while service diversions take place. We will give as much notice as possible when there is no access through the site and will try to maintain access whenever safe to do so.

Week Ending 14th November

Here is a roundup of what work has been carried out this week.

  • Clean up and reinstatement of fill material following flooding
  • Steel Fixers assembled shutters for headwall
  • Placing and compacting of fill material to embankments

Week Commencing 17th October

Some of the works programmed for next week include:

  • Placing and compaction of fill in the embankment and beneath the road.
  • Construction of manholes on new sewer alignment
  • Service diversions to be carried out by utility companies

18 October 2022 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla

Week Ending 14th October
Here is a roundup of what work has been carried out:
• First Culvert units arrived and were placed.
• Steel Fixers assembled, wing wall reinforcement and shuttering.
• Concrete poured to wing walls
• Steel fixers started to assemble headwalls.

Week Commencing 17th October
Some of the works programmed include:
• Next five culverts units placed
• Steel fixers to complete head wall reinforcement and shuttering
• Ground preparation to receive the next five culvert units
• Concrete pour to head wall likely at the end of the week

23 September 2022 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla

 Week Ending 16th September

Here is a roundup of what work has been carried out this week.

• Steel fixers onsite assembling reinforcement in the cascade.
• Cascade steps completed
• Steel fixers onsite assembling reinforcement in the cascade side walls
• Temporary site drainage installed

Week Commencing 19th September

Some of the works programmed for next week include:
• Shuttering to be constructed for the first side wall
• First concrete pour for the side walls scheduled for wednesday
• Shuttering to be constructed for the second side wall
• Second concrete pour likely at the end of the week

06 September 2022 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla

Work carried out during the week ending 2nd September

Here is a roundup of what work has been carried out this week:

• Setting out the alignment for the new culverts and cascade.
• Blinding layer placed below the cascade
• Shuttering constructed for the first step of the cascade
• Steel fixers onsite assembling reinforcement in the cascade.

Week Commencing 5th September

Some of the works programmed for next week include:
• First concrete pour set for Monday
• Shuttering to be constructed for the 2nd step in the cascade
• Steel fixers assemble reinforcement in 2nd step
• Second concrete pour possible at the end of the week

23rd August 2022 - Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla

Work carried out during the week ending 19th August
Work to upgrade the culvert and reinstate the road at Castle Drive has started. Here is a roundup of what work has been carried out this week.

  • Site boundary established for the first phase of the works.
  • Groundworks to create a platform for welfare facilities for the workforce and site cabin.
  • A temporary path placed to ensure the continued safe use of the informal path through Cefn Saeson Dingle.
  • Liaison with statutory undertakers to ensure continuity of services for local residents.
  • Services exposed and temporary supports installed.

Work planned for the week commencing 22nd August
Some of the works programmed for next week include:

  • Setting out the alignment for the new culverts and cascade.
  • Excavation to formation level of the new cascade.
  • Installation of temporary works in watercourse.
  • Excavation of the steep sides of the scoured area to create a safe working area

4th August 2022 – Update on the culvert replacement at Castle Drive, Cimla

A project to restore the vital culvert at Castle Drive in Cimla, Neath, which collapsed last year due to torrential rainfall, is due to start with immediate effect.

It follows a decision by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet on Thursday (July 28th) that the council will guarantee to meet a potential funding shortfall for the replacement work which is now due to completed in this financial year.

Neath Port Talbot Council was successful in obtaining Welsh Government funding to design a replacement culvert for Castle Drive and earlier this year the council also obtained funding to carry out the work itself.

But in recent months, costs have escalated due to inflation with construction items, transport and plant all going up in price. The cost of diversion work for facilities has also substantially increased.

As a result, a further bid has been submitted to the Welsh Government to make up the shortfall but at the moment, there is no funding available.

However, council cabinet members guaranteed at their meeting that if no Welsh Government grant is available, the money could come from the council’s capital spending programme 2022/23 - meaning the project can start now.

Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Wellbeing, said: “I am pleased that with our decision to underwrite the funding gap we can now start preparing to repair the damage caused on a night of torrential downpours across South West Wales.

“We are going to see more of these extreme weather events which is why we must all – including this council - do everything we can to fight climate change.

“The culvert being washed away caused a lot of transport problems in this area and I’m glad work can now start to put things right.”

Scott Jones, the council’s cabinet member for Streetscene, added: “We would like to thank local residents for their patience following the disruption caused by this collapse. We are delighted restoration work can now begin.”