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THE A55 BRIDGE IN CONWY HAS HAD TEMPORARY TRAFFIC LIGHTS IN PLACE EVER SINCE SEVERAL SUPPORT BEAMS WERE BENT OUT OF SHAPE BY A LORRY IN 2019 15:40, 13 Jan 2025Updated 15:41, 13 Jan 2025
Repairs to a bridge over the A55 in north Wales that was damaged six years ago are finally set to begin this month. The bridge in Conwy has had traffic lights in place since 2019, when a
lorry strike bent several support beams out of shape. The lack of progress on repairs to the Primrose Hill Bridge, as well as the Sea Road Bridge in Abergele, which was damaged in 2010, has
been met with frustration from campaigners. The cost of temporary traffic lights at both locations has now reached almost £260,000, a figure labelled "extortionate" by opposition
politicians. The Welsh Government has confirmed that funding has been secured for the repairs to the Primrose Hill Bridge, and Traffic Wales has released details of the work. The project
will involve full overnight closures of the eastbound A55 for five weeks, starting on January 26 and continuing until March 2. _For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to
our newsletter._ During this time, the eastbound carriageway will be closed every night from 8pm to 6am between junctions 24 and 25, with traffic diverted via the A547 Rhuddlan Road.
According to Traffic Wales, the 2019 bridge strike caused "significant deformation of several primary beams" in the structure, and the aim of the heat straightening works is to
restore the bridge's full structural carrying capacity. Traffic coming off the A55 at junction 24 is in for a slight detour as part of new diversion plans, reports North Wales Live.
Article continues below Motorists will be directed off the eastbound off-slip and taken around the A547 roundabout, then brought back onto the eastbound carriageway at junction 27. On the
other hand, Abergele's Sea Road Bridge shows scarce hope for prompt repairs. Answering Clwyd West MS Darren Millar's question, Welsh Government's Transport Secretary Ken
Skates described the repair project as "considerably more complicated and costly" and stated: "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." _FIND OUT ABOUT THE LATEST LOCAL ISSUES WHERE YOU LIVE_ Article
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