Welcome to the October 2026 edition of the Llanfoist to Abergavenny Active Travel Bridge and Links Scheme newsletter. In this issue, we share the latest progress on the project, highlight key milestones achieved over the summer, and provide an update on upcoming activities.
Balfour Beatty were delighted to attend the Abergavenny Food Festival, where we presented a bilingual display about the bridge construction works. It was fantastic to meet so many residents and visitors interested in learning more about the project. Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with us and learn more about the Llanfoist to Abergavenny Active Travel Bridge and Links Scheme.
We’ve added more information to the scheme website, to cover questions raised at the Food Festival, and provide more in-depth information and features, including diagrams, photos and videos of the developing project and detailed information about the paths, gates and accessibility. Visit the website FAQ section here:
abergavennyactivetravelbridge.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/
Upcoming Community Engagement Events
Balfour Beatty is pleased to invite local residents to two upcoming in person, community engagement events, providing an opportunity to learn more about the project and speak directly with members of the project team.
Both events will be held at Abergavenny Methodist Church, Castle Street, and are free to attend. To find out more or register your interest, please email aats@balfourbeatty.com.
We look forward to welcoming you, answering your questions, and hearing your views on the project.
Community Engagement Event | Thursday 1 October from 11.30am to 14.30pm
Residents are invited to come along, meet the project team and learn more about how the scheme is progressing. Display boards will showcase the latest construction updates, the programme of upcoming works, project timescales and key milestones, helping residents understand what to expect in the months ahead.
Whether you have questions, would like further information, or simply want to understand more about the project, our team will be on hand to help. Complimentary tea and coffee will be available, creating an informal setting for conversation and discussion.
Winter Project Update Session | Thursday 26 November at 14.30pm
As the project enters its winter phase, this 30-minute session will provide an update on planned activities over the coming months and explain why progress on site may appear limited during this period. Balfour Beatty’s Site Manager will outline the programme for 2027, including when construction activities are expected to resume and the key milestones planned for the year ahead.
Whether you have been following the project closely or would simply like to understand what to expect over the winter months, we would be delighted to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.
Construction Update | September Progress
Overnight road closures
We are planning a number of overnight road closures over the coming weeks to safely facilitate the mobilisation of specialist crane equipment and the completion of key construction activities for the scheme.
To enable these works to be undertaken safely, overnight road closures will be required in the next few weeks. Advance warning signs will be in place ahead of the closures, and clearly signed diversion routes will be provided. We would like to thank residents and road users for their patience and understanding while these essential works are carried out.
Caisson installation
This month, the scheme reached a major milestone with the successful completion of the first stage of the caisson construction. The team has now excavated the shaft to its final design depth, marking a significant step forward in the delivery of the new bridge and laying the foundations for the next phase of construction.
The next phase of work will involve installing the steel reinforcement cage within the caisson. This complex operation will utilise two cranes working in tandem to safely lift the reinforcement cage from its delivery position and rotate it vertically before lowering it into the shaft. Once the reinforcement is in place, the caisson will be filled with concrete to the required design level, completing this critical element of the bridge foundations.
Piling
September also marks the start of piling operations for the bridge abutments on both the north and south sides of the river. These foundations will play a vital role in supporting the new bridge structure.
Each abutment will be supported by three reinforced concrete piles, each measuring 600 mm in diameter and extending approximately 25 metres below ground level. The piles are being constructed using a Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) technique. This process involves drilling to the required depth before pumping concrete into the bore as the auger is withdrawn. Steel reinforcement cages are then inserted into the freshly placed concrete, creating a strong and durable foundation for the bridge.
These works represent another key stage in the project and will help pave the way for the construction of the bridge substructure in the coming months.
‘Llanfoist Links’ – Additional plans announced
Whilst the active travel bridge is under construction, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) has announced additional plans for improvements to the route between The Cutting in Llanfoist and the new bridge.
The improvements will help make everyday journeys easier for people travelling to Abergavenny town centre, Castle Meadows, local shops, schools, work and nearby communities without needing to rely on a car. The design will address long-standing issues along Merthyr Road, south of Usk Bridge, including narrow sections of footway, limited crossing points and no provision for cycling.
Construction of the additional links is planned for winter 2026 to spring 2027. The plans for this construction scheme have been developed through public and stakeholder consultation, and will include:
- Zebra crossing near Usk Bridge (just south of cemetery access)
- Accessible dropped kerb at underbridge/Church Lane
- Widening of footway where it joins the bridge on the south-east side
- Shared use path along Merthyr Road east side
- Parallel crossing on south end of Merthyr Rd (north of Waitrose roundabout, replacing the existing uncontrolled crossing at the splitter island)
- Continuous footway between KwikFit and Wharf House – Currently a gap in the footway restricts access (where driveway was removed).
- Parallel crossing on Heads of the Valleys slip road to replace current, uncontrolled crossing
- Additional highway resurfacing in the Llanfoist area is also planned.
*A parallel crossing is a zebra crossing for both pedestrians and cyclists.
For more information on the planned works and to view details of the plan, please visit the ‘Llanfoist Links’ section of the MCC website: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/highways/active-travel/active-travel-in-abergavenny-and-llanfoist/
Social Value and Community Engagement
The Llanfoist to Abergavenny Active Travel Bridge and Links scheme, continued to create positive social value during September, supporting both local community initiatives.
The project team supported the Abergavenny Food Festival by providing event signage, helping to deliver one of the town’s flagship community events. The signage was sourced through a social enterprise, ensuring project expenditure generated wider community benefits while supporting socially driven businesses.
