MP calls for quicker end to bridge repairs
The hold-up of repairs to a railway bridge on a busy road between Shropshire and Mid Wales is causing an unacceptable bottleneck, the area's MP says.
Holidaymakers heading to the Welsh coast this weekend could be held up by the temporary traffic lights on the Cefn Bridge on the A485 at Trewern near Welshpool.
Glyn Davies, Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire, has implored Network Rail to hasten its planned repair work.
He says the delays over recent Bank Holidays have been unacceptable.
A crash on the bridge involving a lorry in December saw the parapets supporting the bridge between Trewern and Buttington badly damaged. Since there have been traffic lights and one-way traffic on the bridge.
Disruption
In a meeting with Network Rail representatives, the Montgomeryshire MP discussed the issue of the ongoing repairs to the bridge, the disruption it has caused to motorists, and the likely time frame for when repairs will be completed to reopen the bridge to two-way traffic.
He said: “It’s high time the parapets supporting the Cefn Bridge between Trewern and Buttington are repaired and that two-way traffic on the A458 be restored to normal.
"This road is the most important connection between Mid Wales and the important markets of the Midlands and South East of England.
"For months it’s been a serious bottleneck which has damaged the economy of Montgomeryshire and wider Mid Wales. The delays over recent Bank Holidays have been totally unacceptable."
“I had hoped it would be finished before Easter, but it wasn’t. It was then reported that the work would be completed in June. It’s seems that we still hope work will be started in June and that disturbance will be limited to overnight rail line closures.I have emphasised the importance of completing this work and restoring two-way traffic as soon as possible.”
Network Rail said that the work was due to start in June.
