LANDSLIDE CUTS OFF VILLAGES
CONCERNS have been raised about travel chaos between two Carmarthenshire villages that have been cut off due to a landslide.
The incident happened on the Saturday before Christmas on a rural stretch of road between Bronwydd and Llanpumsaint, some four miles north of Carmarthen. As a result, a part of the B4301 between the two villages is now shut in both directions.
One resident has said the situation is causing disruption in the area because people are struggling to get to and from their homes without going miles out of their way, while a lack of quick access to emergency vehicles is also a concern.
People who live in Bronwydd who want to travel to Llanpumsaint, or the nearby village of Pontarsais, both of which are around four miles away, now have to travel in the direction of Carmarthen and cut across towards the village of Peniel and north to Rhydargaeau on the A485, adding considerable time to their journey.
The issue could take months to resolve, meaning that the road could remain closed well into the spring.
“It happened after heavy rain nearly three weeks ago,” said one resident who lives between the two villages.
“We notified the council and they’ve been out to
close the road and make it safe, but it’s causing a lot of problems. Traffic cones were put in the road to block it off but I think people were moving them and driving through.
“The council have been out now to put these heavy road blocks and a fence in the road so nobody can get through.”
The southbound stretch of the road is the side that has been affected by the landslide. Trees and part of the roadside bank have fallen down towards the stream below, which runs to the River Gwili, and a part of the side of the road has fallen with it.
The northbound stretch is unaffected, but both sides have been closed for safety reasons.
“It’s not so much a problem for us because we live before the closure but it’s a massive problem for others,” said the local resident.
“There was an accident near Llanpumsaint the other day and you could see police vehicles driving one way and then they had to turn around and come back the same way.
They had to go the long way round. That’s a real concern moving forward for all emergency vehicles, if there was a fire or if an ambulance needed to get somewhere.
“I think there’s a lack of information about the closure and the diversions in place – there’s been a lack of publicity about something which is causing a lot of disruption.”
The chair of the local community council, Irfon Jones, who is also a county councillor, lives in Bronwydd and hopes the matter can be resolved as quickly as possible.
“Traffic has become so heavy on B-roads these days and they weren’t really made for heavy traffic and big lorries,” he said.
“I have been in contact with the council and the workers have been very good, making sure the area is safe.
“For people who live in Bronwydd, they can at least still travel to and from Carmarthen on the same route, but it’s more troublesome for people who live in Llanpumsaint or further up because they
can’t come through Bronwydd to go to town.
“Hopefully they can get it sorted as quickly as possible but there’s a big job to be done there because the road drops down to the bank and the stream below.”
Carmarthenshire Council has admitted that repair work could take “some months”, and is asking for understanding and patience as it deals with the “extensive” damage.
“The landslide occurred as a result of extreme rainfall on Saturday, December 19,” said Hazel Evans, executive board member for environment at Carmarthenshire Council.
“The damage was extensive – it took away the main support embankment, undermining the road foundations, and it is also above a water course.
“The road has been closed and a diversionary route via the A485 put in place to maintain public safety. It is anticipated that repair works will take some months to complete. We appreciate there will be disruption but please bear with us whilst we undertake these major and necessary works.”
It is not the first time that this particular corner of Carmarthenshire has been affected by landslides.
In October 2018, Storm Callum caused a landslide close to Cwmduad which resulted in the death of a 21-year-old man.
A year later, in October 2019, torrential rain caused a landslide which nearly killed a man and his family. They were sleeping in their home, between Bronwydd and Cynwyl Elfed, at the time.