Abergavenny active travel bridge enters construction phase

The Llanfoist to Castle Meadows Active Travel Bridge in Abergavenny has moved into the construction stage. The bridge, designed by Knight Architects and WSP for Monmouthshire County Council, in close collaboration with the appointed contractor Balfour Beatty, will significantly enhance connectivity across the River Usk.

With current travel options limited by the Usk Bridge, which is a Scheduled Monument and Grade II* listed stone bridge that carries high volumes of vehicle traffic, the new Active Travel crossing will create an attractive alternative route for walking and cycling, linking Merthyr Road in Llanfoist with Castle Meadows in Abergavenny. 

Sitting harmoniously in the riverside landscape and alongside its stone neighbour, the bridge features an understated and elegant layout and form. The U-shaped beam features two spans (25m and 36m) and an intermediate four-armed Y-shaped pier located out of the main river channel in low water periods. This configuration allows for the deck to be above the design flood level with minimal ramp length. The ramps run parallel with the river, sitting smoothly on earthworks and blending naturally into the existing topography with minimal alteration. 

The superstructure combines a carbon-steel Vierendeel truss system on each side of the deck with a modular timber infill and a timber coping. The substructure includes the intermediate pier, which consists of four stainless steel arms on a concrete plinth with a highly hydrodynamic shape, and abutments designed to go almost unnoticed within the access ramps. The blend of geometry, materiality, and careful detailing has achieved a visual lightness and an inviting user experience.

Construction will commence with groundworks, including piling, in summer 2026. Phased works will continue into late 2027, when the bridge is expected to open.

You can learn more about the project here: https://abergavennyactivetravelbridge.co.uk/

Related project: Llanfoist to Abergavenny Footbridge