A465 Heads of the Valleys Road - The Jack Williams Gateway Bridge

The A465 'Heads of the Valleys Road' improvement project is a major highway corridor scheme developed in sections by the Welsh Government. It provides connection between the communities of the South Wales valleys between Abergavenny and Merthyr Tydfil. The upgrade of this key east-west connection was considered vital to improve safety and support social and economic regeneration.

The route is defined by a landscape that is both beautiful and challenging. Knight Architects worked with Atkins Jacobs JV and Costain on the 9km-long Section 2 between Gilwern and Brynmawr, which passes through the heavily designated environment of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Our role included concept, scheme and detailed designs, community engagement and securing stakeholder support for the bridges and visual structures.

The Jack Williams Gateway Bridge is a key feature of the route, spanning 118m across the A465 road at the top of the Clydach Gorge. The bold concept design addressed the wish for a new landmark for the town of Brynmawr and to signal the eastern boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The tall, white steel arch structure creates a dramatic reference point that can be viewed from many walking and cycle routes in the surrounding landscape, as well as to users of the highway passing below. It was named after a local World War One hero following a public poll in 2018.