Gareth Davies MS has formed a petition to be issued to the Welsh Government, Denbighshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales calling for swift action on the repair Llannerch Bridge.
The historic bridge located between Trefnant and Tremeirchion collapsed due to the floodwaters of Storm Christoph in January 2021 and the current estimated date for repairs to even begin is not until Summer 2023, Mr Davies states that this lengthy wait is not acceptable.
He said “The anticipated start date to repair this bridge is not until the summer months of 2023 and this is not acceptable, presently local residents and farmers have to drive several miles out of their way to pass through the area, which is not only inconvenient but has a knock-on environmental effect with an increase in road emissions and pollution, something that the Welsh Government has said they are committed to reducing.
Large chunks of the fallen bridge still sit on the riverbed, potentially increasing flood risk in an already precarious area. It is not appropriate that residents wait almost two years for action on this to be taken.
I have been contacted by several local people who feel that emergency measures should be taken to input repairs promptly”
A representative of Denbighshire County Council noted in correspondence with a resident that they do not yet have a plan on how the bridge will be repaired and that they are seeking external funding to replace the asset.
Writing in response to Gareth Davies MS voicing his concerns back in June on this matter during the Deputy Minister’s roads review oral statement in the Senedd Chamber, Lee Waters MS, said:
“We need to make drastic changes to how we currently operate if we are to do what the science requires of us to reach our statutory target of net zero by 2050. The purpose of the roads review will be to consider how we can move away from spending money on projects that encourage more people to drive and spend more money on maintaining our roads and investing in real alternatives that give people a meaningful choice.”
“I can now confirm that following the loss of the previous bridge, officials have been in discussions with their counterparts in Denbighshire Council to discuss replacement options. The Council and Welsh Government are in full agreement that there is little point in building a new structure that isn’t fit for purpose i.e. unable to cope with the force of the river or handle the quantity of traffic / pedestrians that needs to use this crossing.”
“However, due to the location, any new structure will undoubtedly have to take into account the sensitivity of the landscape and the nearby listed buildings and registered parkland.“
“As the bridge is located on a local road it will be a council led Council scheme. This is still at a very early stage and we will await further information from the Council with suggested replacements. We will of course consider what funding options are available once a replacement option has been finalised.”
To join the call for action you can sign the Gareth’s petition here: Call for action - Repair Llannerch Bridge! | Gareth Davies
