A farming community in the Tywi Valley have been given a new lease of life – thanks to a new bridge.
When a three tonne weight limit had to be imposed on Glandwr Farm Bridge, Cynghordy, residents feared the impact it would have on their daily lives.
Carmarthenshire County Council acted swiftly as a major bridge strengthening scheme needed to be carried out due to the severe affect on the community.
A scheme was developed to replace the existing two span bridge with a new structure comprising of an in-situ reinforced concrete deck, abutments and central pier.
As well as the design of the new structure, land drainage consent had to be approved by the Environment Agency, together with the acquisition of privately owned land from adjoining landowners prior to construction works commencing.
The works cost almost £200,000 to carry out and the overall scheme took 13 months to complete, from inception to completion of construction.
Gill Wright of Ty Glandwr said: “There are four farms and a bed and breakfast that were affected by the weight restriction, it was a big problem as lorries bringing in feed and other supplies were not able to use the bridge and the other road leading in to the valley is very narrow indeed. It was very important that the works were carried out and everyone involved from the planners to the surveyors were great.”
A number of bridge strengthening schemes are underway across Carmarthenshire running into millions of pounds. This includes laentwrch Bridge near Ffarmers, Llanwrda, and Twynllanan Culvert near Llanddeusant.
Executive board member Councillor Philip Hughes said: “The council has a rigorous assessment programme to determine whether or not the county’s bridges are able to carry 40 tonne traffic loads as dictated by European legislation.
“I am delighted that these works have been completed in Cynghordy; it was very important to the community and has made a big difference to their lives.
“We have an ongoing programme of works to bring our bridges up to standard. We are doing all we can given very limited resources.”
