A new modern bridge design is set to replace the historic structure lost in a storm, but challenges remain for the local community
Llanerch: So, the old Llanerch Bridge, which was a real gem from the 18th century, got wiped out during Storm Christoph back in January 2021. It’s been a long wait for a replacement, and folks are still dealing with a seven-mile detour to get around the area.
Fast forward four years, and the council is finally moving forward with plans for a new bridge. They got a nice chunk of change—£750,000 from the Welsh Government—to kick off the design work. But here’s the catch: the new bridge is going to look pretty different from the old one.
The design team has been busy brainstorming, and they’ve settled on something that’s more practical than pretty. The new bridge will be flatter and come with big embankments to help manage flooding. It’s not going to have that charming old-school vibe, but it’s got to meet modern safety standards.
In a newsletter, the council mentioned that this project has been a bit of a headache. They’re trying to make it blend in with the local scenery, adding some greenery to soften the look. But there are still a lot of hurdles to jump over before construction can start.
One major concern is a freshwater aquifer that’s right next to where the old bridge used to be. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is keeping a close eye on things since this water serves a lot of homes in North Wales. They’ve been doing some digging and testing to see how the new bridge might affect their operations.
As of now, the council is still waiting on the results of those investigations. They’re hoping everything checks out so they can get the green light to start building. But without funding, there’s no timeline for when this new bridge might actually go up.
Local councillors are feeling the pressure, as residents are anxious about access and the local economy. It’s a big deal for everyone, and they’re hoping for some good news soon.
