Bridge work pledge (From Western Telegraph)

Bridge work pledge

Traffic lights may be placed on the Cleddau Bridge to control traffic during the final stages of the 30-week resurfacing contract due to start on March 24th.

Speaking at a public meeting at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel last week, Pembrokeshire County Council director of transportation, Huw Roberts, said he hoped two-way traffic could be maintained throughout the period. He said heavy goods vehicles would be banned from the bridge at certain times to prevent vibration interfering with the resurfacing work.

He said: "The Cleddau Bridge is the most valuable asset the county council has. I would not want to put this operation in jeopardy. I'm looking for something that will last for 30 years."

People living in the shadow of the Cleddau Bridge have been told noise and dust will be kept to a minimum during the work.

Residents of Burton Ferry and Pembroke Ferry, situated beneath the north and south ends of the bridge respectively, said previous strengthening work was noisy and had left their properties covered with dust.

Tony Caulfield, of Griffiths Contracting, said his company would be as considerate as previous contractors, Jenkins and Davies, whose response to problems was praised by residents. He said every effort would be made to secure the site and prevent things being thrown over the side and damaging properties below.

Residents heard a new water-based jetting system would reduce both noise and dust during the removal of the current surface.

l Mr Roberts said the existing surface had lasted since the bridge opened in the '70s and the new surface would make for a smoother ride. He said: "Anyone who has travelled the bridge recently will know it's a bit of a patchwork quilt at the moment."

County council structural engineer, Darren Thomas, said the bumpy ride was caused by the road surface wearing away between 'hard points'. He said: "The bridge is made up of 48 boxes welded together. Where each is welded to the next, you get a hard point."

The existing four-lane layout will be replaced by three lanes with a footpath on the east side and cycle path on the west. A two-foot barrier will separate the traffic lanes from the pedestrian routes.