ANOTHER DELAY: Golfa road closure not going ahead on Monday

Plans to start work replacing the damaged culvert at Spring Bank, Golfa on Monday have been delayed.

After more than two years, it appeared that work would finally start on Monday, meaning the traffic lights would finally be removed.

But after announcing the start date and a three-month road closure with long diversions the Welsh Government’s Highways Agency has reported work will now NOT start as scheduled.

Powys Councillors Graham Breeze (Welshpool Llanerchyddol) and Gareth Jones (Llanfair Caereinion) have been pressing the Highways Agency to get on with the work with a traffic light system being in place for over two years.

Councillor Breeze (pictured) said: “This is very disappointing news and even more disappointing that the local ward councillor has not been informed officially.

“From day one I have not been happy with the communications around this work, which is going to cause considerable problems for a great number of people. I have written to the Highways Agency expressing my disappointment. Communities, schools and businesses in the area have not been kept properly informed.

“It is vital that the work is completed before the Spring holiday traffic arrives.”

Cllr Jones received a response from Powys County Council’s Principal Engineer Robert Gilman today, confirming the delay.

“I understand there are some discussions taking place over the proposed closure of the A458 at Spring Bank, and that a closure date of 10^th January has been previously circulated,” wrote Mr Gilman.

“I can confirm that the closure will not be coming into effect on 10^th. At this stage, all I can suggest is that the closure is imminent but not immediate and is likely to happen in the next couple of weeks.

“We will update you once we have a confirmed date and will look to put up advance warning signs on the trunk road to provide as much notice as possible.