Repair works on an A55 bridge damaged six years ago will finally get underway this month. Traffic lights have been in place on the bridge in Conwy ever since several support beams were bent out of shape by a lorry strike in 2019.
Campaigners have been left aghast by the lack of remedial work both on Primrose Hill Bridge, St George, and Sea Road Bridge, Abergele – the latter being damaged back in 2010. The total cost of having the temporary traffic lights at both locations now stands at almost £260,000. It’s an expense labelled “extortionate” by opposition politicians.
Last month the Welsh Government confirmed money had been found for the Primrose Hill Bridge repairs. Traffic Wales has now shared details of the work, which will involve full overnight closures of the eastbound A55 for five weeks.
The project will get under way on January 26 and continue until March 2. Between these dates the eastbound carriagway will be closed every night from 8pm until 6am between junction 24 for Abergele and junction 25 for Bodelwyddan. Traffic will be diverted via the A547 Rhuddlan Road.
Traffic Wales said the 2019 bridge strike had caused “significant deformation of several primary beams” in the structure. It added: “The aim of the heat straightening works is to restore full structural carrying capacity.”
Traffic will be diverted at the junction 24 eastbound off-slip and sent around the A547 roundabout. Vehicles will then return to the eastbound A55 carriageway at junction 27. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
Diversion route for traffic when overnight repairs take place at the A55 Primrose Hill Bridge
(Image: Traffic Wales)
Meanwhile, there’s little signs repairs taking place any time soon at Abergele’s Sea Road Bridge. In response to a written question by Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, the Welsh Government’s transport secretary Ken Skates said this scheme was “considerably more complicated and costly”.
He added: “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.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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