Haverfordwest residents reminded of Pembroke Road railway bridge replacement

Haverfordwest residents are reminded that essential work to replace Pembroke Road railway bridge will be completed later this month.

As part of the £4.25m upgrade project, Network Rail engineers will demolish the existing railway bridge deck – which carries the South Wales Main Line – and install a new, more resilient structure as part its Railway Upgrade Plan to improve the reliability of the railway. The 80-year-old bridge deck requires replacing as it is nearing the end of its lifespan.

To ensure the core work is carried out as efficiently and as safely as possible, part of Pembroke Road will require a short, temporary closure between the railway bridge and Merlins Bridge Welfare Hall. The road will be closed to through traffic and pedestrians from 8pm on Friday 18 January 2019 until 6pm on Monday 21 January.  Clay Lane will also be temporarily closed to all through traffic during this time.

The official diversion route will be fully signposted for Pembroke Road, and motorists are advised to allow additional time for their journeys. A courtesy shuttle bus service will be in operation for pedestrians and cyclists during the essential work.

A bus replacement service will be in operation between Whitland and Milford Haven for rail passengers on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 January and passengers are advised to check with their train operator before they travel.

The essential replacement of Milford Road railway bridge will take place next month. The A4076 at Milford Road railway bridge will be closed from 7pm on Friday 15 until 6am on Monday 18 February.

Residents and local businesses wishing to find out more about the work to the bridges are invited to attend ‘drop-in’ events on Thursday 10 and Thursday 31 January from 3pm to 6pm at the Merlins Bridge Welfare Hall, Pembroke Road, SA61 1JW. No appointment is necessary and representatives from Network Rail’s project team will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions.

Rhys Howells, scheme project manager for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, said: “We understand that closing the roads for any length of time is inconvenient and we thank the local community and road users for bearing with us whilst we complete these essential upgrade works to replace Pembroke Road railway bridge.

“We have been working closely with Pembrokeshire County Council and other partners to minimise disruption, and to develop the diversionary routes. I would encourage anyone wishing to find out more to attend one of the ‘drop-in’ events, where we will be happy to answer your questions.”

Preparatory work is now underway on Pembroke road railway bridge and a single lane traffic management system will be in operation on Pembroke Road, at the railway bridge from 10pm on Saturday 12 January to 10am on Sunday 13 January. To ensure Network Rail teams can complete finishing work safely, a single lane traffic management system will also be in operation at the bridge, from 10pm on Saturday 26 to 10am on Sunday 27 January and from 10pm on Saturday 2 to 10am on Sunday 3 February.

For more information visit www.networkrail.co.uk/merlins-bridge