THE Heads of the Valleys Road will be closed between Glanbaiden and Brynmawr from 6.30am on Saturday, October 15 until 6am on Monday, October 17.

The closure will allow contractors Costain to carry out high level earthworks at the waterworks cutting outside of the current installed rock fall protection measures. Due to the height of certain sections of the rock face, it is not feasible to construct rock fall protection high enough.

 The work will include the construction of two deep drainage crossings, across the full width of the carriageway in the vicinity of the Drum and Monkey temporary roundabout, the construction of a man hole chamber onto an existing deep drainage culvert which is situated in the centre of the existing Eastbound Carriageway and piling works within the narrow working corridor between the existing carriageway and river Cydach using a large crane which has to be set up within the existing live lanes.

Also happening during the weekend will be the demolition of existing retaining walls to beneath new and existing carriageway level.

“Safety considerations are paramount at this location and a closure provides the best available means of safely concluding the concrete removal at height alongside the carriageway,” said a spokesman for Costain.

“A crossover point for Clydach South and North will be available and during the course of the closure full access will be maintained through the site for emergency services vehicles which will be escorted by a traffic management team. 

“We will also be providing a minibus service to replace the Stagecoach Service 3 on Saturday,” he added.

For further information, please contact the South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) on 0300 123 1213, select 1 for English, then select 2 for road maintenance issues.

Alternatively, should you have any queries please contact our Public Liaison officer Phil Baker on his e-mail, [email protected] 

or via the office project contact number: 01873 833 100 or 24 hour helpline: 0845 600 2664