Repairs to a bridge over the A55 in north Wales that was damaged six years ago are finally set to begin this month. The bridge in Conwy has had traffic lights in place since 2019, when a lorry strike bent several support beams out of shape.
The lack of progress on repairs to the Primrose Hill Bridge, as well as the Sea Road Bridge in Abergele, which was damaged in 2010, has been met with frustration from campaigners. The cost of temporary traffic lights at both locations has now reached almost £260,000, a figure labelled “extortionate” by opposition politicians.
The Welsh Government has confirmed that funding has been secured for the repairs to the Primrose Hill Bridge, and Traffic Wales has released details of the work. The project will involve full overnight closures of the eastbound A55 for five weeks, starting on January 26 and continuing until March 2. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
The diversion route for traffic when overnight repairs take place at the A55 Primrose Hill Bridge
(Image: Traffic Wales)
During this time, the eastbound carriageway will be closed every night from 8pm to 6am between junctions 24 and 25, with traffic diverted via the A547 Rhuddlan Road. According to Traffic Wales, the 2019 bridge strike caused “significant deformation of several primary beams” in the structure, and the aim of the heat straightening works is to restore the bridge’s full structural carrying capacity. Traffic coming off the A55 at junction 24 is in for a slight detour as part of new diversion plans, reports North Wales Live.
Motorists will be directed off the eastbound off-slip and taken around the A547 roundabout, then brought back onto the eastbound carriageway at junction 27. On the other hand, Abergele’s Sea Road Bridge shows scarce hope for prompt repairs.
Answering Clwyd West MS Darren Millar’s question, Welsh Government’s Transport Secretary Ken Skates described the repair project as “considerably more complicated and costly” and stated: “At present, there are higher priorities elsewhere on the Strategic Road Network. Fixing our roads is a priority and we will progress this scheme at the earliest opportunity when funding is available.”
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