Road damaged during Storm Darragh landslip to remain closed

Powys County Council (PCC) says there is no timescale for work on the unclassified road, between Beulah and Abergwesyn, to either begin or be completed; and it is to remain closed for safety reasons, following a landslip.

“Currently, all damage to Powys County Council's highways infrastructure is being assessed following the two recent storms of Bert and Darragh with this road being one of them,” the local authority said in a statement.

“At present there is no timescale for the work, so the road will continue to stay closed for safety reasons.”

James Evans, Member of the Senedd (MS) for Brecon and Radnorshire, visited residents living in the affected region of Abergwesyn and Llanwrtyd Wells, just before Christmas, describing the damage as “unbelievable”.

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Mr Evans said he spoke to people living locally about how badly Storm Darragh had hit these communities – particularly those living in the more isolated location of Abergwesyn.    

He said most have now had their electricity restored but many continue to be without a vital landline or internet connection.  

Many trees also remain precariously balanced on the road verge and residents are fearful that more trees will come down in further bad weather.

PCC said the road, between Abergwesyn and Beulah, will remain closed for safety reasons. Image ID: (Image: James Evans) “It was unbelievable to see the damage that had been caused in the area. Trees were down and many others look unsafe,” said Mr Evans.

“It was good to hear that electricity power has now been restored but there is huge amounts of work still to be done to re-connect landlines and internet. 

“In an area where mobile phone signal is poor at best, the landline phone is an essential lifeline. 

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“The amount of fallen trees was staggering and there will be many weeks and months of work ahead to clear and assess the safety of the trees left standing. 

“Accessing the area remains a challenge as the road from Abergwesyn to Beulah remains closed following a large tree falling and taking away part of the road with it. 

“The route via Llanwrtyd Wells is adding a considerable amount of time and miles to journeys and this could delay any emergency response times. 

“I have written to Powys County Council to seek an update on when repairs will take place and when they expect the road to re-open.”

The local authority announced on December 9 that an emergency road closure had come into force on the road, officially the C0004, due to a landslip, caused by a fallen tree.