Bridge re-opening needs fine weather window

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 late March. It had been anticipated the bridge would have been closed for 13 weeks from February 2nd

It is only the weather proofing that has to be completed which will be carried out when the fine weather window of opportunity allows.