NO – it’s not a scene from the film Transformers – it’s a picture taken by a Towy Valley woman capturing the demolition of Llangadog bridge.
Strengthening works are being carried out on Carreg Sawdde Bridge, which sees the C2146 road closed to traffic until February next year.
The construction works mean that those living in Felindre who need to get to Llangadog, now need to take an alternative route, and, as highlighted in the Guardian back in July, school pupils now have an added 15 minutes to their morning journey to school.
Councillor Andrew James has stepped in to help out with the situation putting on free bus transport to those pupils being more than three miles from the school.
“I am delighted to witness the bridge strengthening project being delivered at the Sawdde bridge in Llangadog,” said Cllr James.
“Since realising the bridge improvement programme was being implemented I have ensured bus transport for Llangadog schoolchildren who reside in Felindre and are now within their rights for free transport.”
Llangadog resident Theresa Haine, who submitted the photo, described witnessing the phenomenal machine chomp its way through the one inch reinforcement rods on the bridge.
“I spent a happy half hour watching the incredible machine, said Theresa.
“For those of us living on and around the common we now have to drive six miles round via Bethlehem in order to get to the village shops".
However, Theresa is looking on the brighter side of things, “Every cloud has a silver lining and while the weather is good we will all be fitter for the exercise in walking or biking to the village via the temporary footbridge, she said.
The project, which is costing more than half a million pounds, will see the replacement of the existing sub-standard bridge deck, which is currently subject to a 7.5 tonne weight limit.
The existing abutments and piers will remain, although they will be modified to accommodate the new deck.
The strengthening works will result in the existing 7.5 tonne weight limit being removed, benefitting the local rural community.
Executive board member for technical services Cllr Colin Evans said: “It is essential these works are carried out.
“Although it will cause some inconvenience to the local community I am sure that it will be worth it in the end.
“It means that the current 7.5 tonne weight limit will be removed and the bridge will be able to accommodate traffic up to 40 tonnes.
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