Water culvert collapses again under heavy rain (From Free Press Series)

Water culvert collapses again under heavy rain

HEAVY rain has caused a further collapse to the water culvert currently being repaired in Pontypool.

The southbound section of the A4043, from the Albion Road roundabout has been closed for the past two weeks for emergency repair after the culvert, which takes water from old mine and iron workings, caved in.

Cllr John Cunningham, Executive Member for Operational Services, said: "Since the original collapse work has continued to repair it 24 hours a day. "It became apparent during the night of Tuesday, February 14, that the heavy rain was having an impact upon the work being undertaken in the shaft. It led to the walls of the culvert collapsing underneath where we had carried out temporary repairs.

"We have re-stabilised the area which has been affected. Safety is our paramount concern and a very close watch is being kept on both the shaft and the culvert at all times. Although this is a setback we are still hope to reopen it on schedule."

Torfaen Council will be carrying out permanent repairs but the road will be closed for at least four weeks.

Traffic is now being directed through the Clarence roundabout to rejoin the A4072 at Pontymoile.