Member Article

B4355 emergency repair works draw praise for civil engineering firm

A civil engineering contractor carrying out emergency repair works on a road near Knighton, Powys, has been praised as it reaches the half-way point.

Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK was engaged by Powys County Council after a stretch of the B4355 suffered significant damage caused by flash flooding and further storms.

The road collapsed in three separate locations, all within one mile of each other, in August.

Jones Bros installed a temporary bridge to reopen the road for commuters and local residents, which coincided with the start of the school term, while designs were finalised.

The civil engineering company then started permanent repair works on Saturday 12 September, which has resulted in a series of full road closures, and it is scheduled to finish the scheme in the middle of November.

And following a visit to the site, the chair of the community council, Cllr Gwyn Evans, and Cllr Rachel Powell, whose ward of Beguildy includes the location of the works taking place, were pleased with how the project was progressing.

Cllr Powell, portfolio holder for young people and culture, said: “The team delivering these emergency repairs are clearly dedicated and driven towards achieving high standards for the residents of Powys and I commend everyone involved.

“It’s also been very reassuring to receive weekly updates, including pictures, from the council’s highways and transport department to clearly detail the progress being made.”

Cllr Evans said: “The work undertaken is very impressive and appears to be of a high standard. The workforce has been amenable and co-operative throughout.

“The forbearance of the local community during this period of disruption is also much appreciated. We are very thankful that the repairs have gone so smoothly and look forward to the re-opening of this vital link in our valley.”

Cllr Heulwen Hulme, cabinet member for highways, said: “Our goal was to repair the three instances of structural damage as quickly as possible.

“Jones Bros is on track to achieve this and I would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding while these emergency repairs continue.”

Gareth Jones, project manager at Jones Bros, which has been on site 12-hours a day, 7 days per week, said: “Our skilled workforce has tackled this scheme head on and are on schedule to reopen the road in November.

“Our activity has included diverting the water flow underneath the structures as well as installing two pumps to keep the works area dry. This has allowed us to carry out excavation works and surfacing in a timely manner.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .