Tonnes of debris removed from landslip road

AROUND 300 tonnes of earth, debris and vegetation have been removed from a Port Talbot road which was blocked by a landslip in December last year.

The B4286 Cwmavon Road is currently open, but reduced to one lane with traffic-light control at the spot where the landslip happened, for safety reasons.

A spokesman for Neath Port Talbot council said work has now begun on a major engineering project to stabilise the steep section of the hill where the landslide happened on December 30, 2017, so they can fully re-open the road.

He added: “Neath Port Talbot council staff worked quickly to remove around 300 tonnes of debris, allowing the road to reopen with one lane closed and traffic-lights in place nine days later, on January 8 this year.

“Now further testing and analysis of the rock along the very steep bank in Cwmavon where the landslip happened – on unregistered land – has been carried out and a final design solution is being put in place.”

The spokesman said the engineering work on the project started this month and will last until the end of October 2018. Local residents have been informed by letter about the work.

“The B4286 Cwmavon Road will remain open with one lane and temporary traffic light controls at the site of the landslip during the project,” he continued. “Access to the Copper Miners estate in Cwmavon from the B4286 will remain closed until the completion of the work.”

Councillor Ted Latham, Neath Port Talbot council’s cabinet member for street scene and engineering said: “We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.”