The main road into Pembrokeshire will be closed over the weekend to allow for improvement works with a 26-mile diversion in place for those heading to the west coast. The section of the road between Penblewin Roundabout and Llandewi Velfrey will be closed in both directions between 8pm on Friday, June 16, and 5am on Monday, June 19.
The contractors undertaking the Welsh Government project have said a special lane will be made for emergency services and the works "will not adversely affect response times within the county". The closure is necessary so engineers can connect the new section of A40 to the old section at the tie-in point as part of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvements Scheme in Pembrokeshire. Work started on the project in the summer of 2021 and is due for completion by autumn 2023.
A spokesman for the scheme, being led by Griffiths contractors, said the work had been timed to reduce disruption. He said: "Due to the significant level differences between the existing A40 and new A40 the principal contractor will require a weekend closure. To ensure that minimal disruption is caused to local communities, commuters, and the local economy the closure has been scheduled for the weekend of June 16-19, 2023, outside of the summer holiday season. Preparation work is already under way to minimise the closure duration.
"The closure has been discussed extensively within the traffic management liaison group, which includes the key statutory authorities that use the A40. As a result it was identified that emergency services need to maintain a route through and therefore Henllan Lane located immediately south of the A40 will also be closed other than for listed residents living on the lane and emergency service vehicles."
It means people heading to destinations such as Newgale, Broad Haven, and St Davids will need to take the A477 at St Clears and head towards Kilgetty before turning north and rejoining the A40 at Canaston Bridge. Ahead of the planned closure the emergency services have been informed and are "prepared". The spokesman added: "To allow for uninterrupted emergency services to north Pembrokeshire a dedicated emergency vehicle route has been created that will not adversely affect response times within the county."
Drivers are advised to follow diversion signs. Traffic management personnel will be stationed at Whitland and Penblewin roundabouts to assist and guide road users. All heavy goods vehicles will be required to take the alternative South Wales Trunk Road Agency route via the A4076 and A477. For updates on this closure and for further information visit the Traffic Wales website.
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