WORK to upgrade two rail bridges south of Haverfordwest will begin midway through January, with temporary road closures planned in the area.

The £4.25m upgrade project of the bridges at Pembroke Road and Milford Road, both in Merlins Bridge, will commence in early 2019.

For the work to be completed as efficiently and safely as possible, there will be short temporary road closures of Pembroke Road and Milford Road.

To minimise disruption to the community, the closures will take place at separate times.

Pembroke Road at the railway bridge will be closed between 8pm on Friday, January 18 and 6am on Monday, January 21 and the A4076 at Milford Road railway bridge will be closed between 7pm on Friday 15 February and 6am on Monday 18 February.

Signposted diversion routes will be in place.

Rhys Howells, scheme project manager for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, said: “We thank the local community in advance for their patience while we carry out these major renewals of the Merlins bridge railway bridges.

“This essential work will improve the resilience and reliability of the railway and will include replacing the 80-year-old bridge decks, which are nearing the end of their lifespan.

“We have been working closely with Pembrokeshire County Council, Welsh Government, South Wales Trunk Road Agency and Emergency Services to develop the diversionary routes which minimise disruption to the local community, and encouraging nearby residents to come along to the drop-in event to find out more about the work.

For more information contact Network Rail’s 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or email CRWales@networkrail.co.uk