Bridge is repaired and 'no risk to integrity' says county council

* The bridge covered by sheeting where it was damaged last week.

Stones accidentally knocked out of the world-famous Llangollen Bridge last week have now been put back in place, according to Denbighshire County Council.

And they assure that there is "no risk to the integrity of the bridge."

Last Friday the council admitted that some stones were ‘displaced’ from Llangollen Bridge by contractors working on the town’s 2020 Project the previous afternoon, adding that work was going on to replace them.

They also revealed that a full structural survey of the site would be carried out in partnership with Welsh historic monuments body CADW to determine what further repair works were required.

This afternoon (Monday) the council said in an updated statement: “The stones at Castle Street Bridge are back in position and have been re-pointed by a stone mason. 

"There is no risk to the structural integrity of the bridge. 

"CADW has also been consulted throughout the process and will carry out a final inspection now the work is complete."

Last week pictures were posted on social media showing cracks in the stonework of the bridge - one of the Seven Wonders of Wales - as the contractors worked on the  renewal of the pavements above.

Llangollen town councillor Stuart immediately asked questions about the consequences of any damage to the bridge and urged that a full structural survey being carried out.

If the bridge had been damaged he also questioned whether heavy traffic could still be diverted through Llangollen and over it as happens when the A483/A5 viaduct is closed.

The council later explained: “During ongoing public realm improvement works in the town, a small number of stones were displaced from the bridge during the removal of the base of a street lighting column." 

Stuart Davies had told llanblogger: “Back in 2017, when I served as a county councillor for the area, we received a report from engineers to say that water ingress had caused some damage to the structure of the bridge. They said it was alright for the moment but that we would have to keep an eye on it.

“I have now written to the county council’s chief executive and leader to say that what appears to have happened yesterday means that we should have a structural engineer take a good look at it to see if there has been any damage which might weaken the bridge.

“If there has been any damage there is also the question of whether heavy traffic can still be diverted through Llangollen and over the bridge as happens when the A483/A5 viaduct is closed."