LLanharan

The Trenos level crossing near Llanharan was seen as one of the most dangerous level crossings in the country, it was obvious that there needed to be changes made to make the crossing safer and more accessible for the local community that uses it.

The bridge spans the South Wales main line at Llanharan, a busy route connecting Cardiff and Swansea. The existing footbridge was narrow and lacked step-free access, creating challenges for passengers with mobility needs.

An FRP design for the full bridge structure had already been developed but this solution was not ultimately suitable for the sequencing needed or for equestrian loading. DYSE were brought on board to quickly develop a design for steel ramps and stairs, with the main span to remain as the already fabricated FRP structure. The design had to meet Network Rail standards and future-proof accessibility. The structure incorporates lifts and compliant stair geometry, ensuring pedestrian safety.

Our use of BIM throughout the project to provide visuals and 3D construction sequence animations to aid the understanding of the installation was praised by collaborators and the client.

The project was behind schedule when DYSE were brought on board, leaving us very little time to develop a new solution, however using in-house skill and expertise and collaborating with WSP, we made sure the project was delivered on time.

Another challenge was fitting the design to a grid of already installed screw piles, DYSE needed to accurately set out each column to surveyed information and to allow for high adjustability in the design.

As the bridge is a bridleway, high parapets were adapated with solid infill on the rail side to prevent horses being startled by passing trains. Rubber matting was used on all ramps to provide a comfortable surface for horses to walk on without being too noisy.

DYSE developed a highly buildable and durable solution that could be installed rapidly over the railway with minimal disruption and the bridge was successfully installed over a Christmas blockade in 2025.

The new footbridge has changed and enhanced passenger experience, improving safety and supporting sustainable travel.