Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Piano Bridge in Lower Trostre Road, Llanelli, will not reopen until June 1. Continuing wet weather conditions have caused a delay to the bridge strengthening works. A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We could not have anticipated the wettest April and early May in more than a 100 years which has specifically held up essential waterproofing work to the bridge deck. This type of work is reliant on favourable weather conditions.” There has been widespread disruption for commuters, commercial deliveries and visitors since the necessary bridge replacement works started in January. The double bridge spans the main London to Fishguard rail line and a bank of disused sidings. It is the widest rail crossing Road Bridge in Carmarthenshire. It was not possible to carry out the work piecemeal leaving one lane open because the whole of the two bridge spans, one over the main line and the other over the sidings, has had to be replaced. The bridge reconstruction works was completed on time in la...

Network Rail work on replacing Piano Bridge in Lower Trostre Road, Llanelli, will be extended into May. It had been forecast that the busy road serving Llanelli’s coastal road from Trostre Park - closed since January - would be re-opened by the end of April. Bad weather and unexpected water and sewerage pipework replacement problems have caused a delay of up to a month. The double bridge spans the main London to Fishguard rail line and a bank of disused sidings. Under the conditions of their licence agreement contractors are obliged to work, whenever possible, at times that cause the least disruption to train services. The demolition and reconstruction of the railway and sidings bridge has taken place and the restorations of services and finishing works are in their final stages. Weather proofing of the construction has to be completed and this has to be undertaken in good weather conditions which means the work will be completed and the road reopened sometime from the middle to...

Carmarthenshire councillors want more answers from Network Rail on issues such as bridge maintenance, fly-tipping and flood defence. Representatives from Network Rail’s Western and Wales Routes attended a meeting of Carmarthenshire's Environment Scrutiny Committee following concerns raised by members. They gave a presentation on the remit and responsibilities of Network Rail in relation to fly-tipping, graffiti, bridge maintenance, road surfaces at level crossings, safety issues caused by coastal erosion and flood defence. The committee was told that Network Rail was responsible for 900 miles of track in Wales alone and that fly-tipping and litter clearance cost the company £2.3 million a year to remove. Robin Basu, community relations manager for the Western and Wales Routes, said barrier crossings were inspected every seven to 13 weeks; and that bridges received a visual inspection every year and a more detailed examination every six years. In relation to flood defence, Network R...