NETWORK Rail has confirmed it will refurbish and strengthen the railway bridge linking Barry Island station to Barry town, following safety concerns raised in August.

Councillor Nic Hodges called the bridge a “time bomb” and said that he believed there could be “disastrous” consequences unless action was taken.

Barry Island resident Matt Oram had voiced concerns after he and other residents had witnessed steel falling from the structure when a train crossed the track and said he had regularly found pieces of the bridge on the ground underneath the Harbour Road causeway.

Network Rail made assurances that the bridge was safe at the time and now say normal maintenance will take place ahead of works scheduled for late 2017 and early 2018.

The company had planned to begin superstructure steelwork strengthening and painting work at the end of this year, with most of the strengthening work due to be delivered during a 23-day planned closure of the railway between Barry and Barry Island stations in January 2017.

Paint repairs and completion of work to the structure were to follow, throughout spring and summer 2017.

But as plans began to be developed it became apparent that work needed to repair the structure would increase the load to the foundations.

Ground investigations carried out in August 2016 showed a need for additional structural foundation strengthening, prior to the repair works to the superstructure.

Work on the structure is now scheduled for the end of 2017, with a planned closure of the railway between Barry and Barry Island in January 2018.

The company hopes to minimise disruption for passengers and the local economy.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “We have been developing plans to refurbish Barry Island viaduct and plan to start work on the structure at the end of 2017 which will include steelwork strengthening and paint work.

“We are also currently identifying any interim repairs that need to be delivered on the viaduct as part of its annual examination.”

Councillor Hodges said: “I welcome this essential work and maintenance following our recent call and hope that it does not impact too much on both the residents and the summer visitors.

"I hope that this advanced notice gives plenty of time for the council to organise alternative arrangements.”

Fellow Baruc councillor, Steffan Wiliam, also welcomed the news and paid tribute to all those who helped.

He said: "Pressure from local residents working in partnership with their local councillors made this happen."

Vale MP Alun Cairns, who has been talking to Network Rail said: “It is fantastic news that Network Rail are planning to upgrade the Barry to Barry Island railway viaduct to ensure that it can continue to ferry passengers to the Island in the decades to come.

“There had been local fears that the viaduct would be permanently closed, ending rail services to Barry Island. These fears have now been laid to rest as Network Rail prepares to undertake work on the foundations and structure of the rail link, securing its use to Island residents and tourists into the future.

“Considering the extent of work that will be carried out, and the long-term continuation of the service that will result, the plans to close that stretch of railway for three weeks in January is unlikely to be seen as excessive.”