THE final stage to repair damage caused by Storm Callum to Carmarthenshire’s A484 road – the main route between Cardigan and Carmarthen - is finally underway.

A highly complex programme of phased works has already been completed in one of the worst hit areas at Cwmduad, when a landslide claimed the life of 21-year-old Newcastle Emlyn man Corey Sharpling.

Repairs as a result of the storm have also been carried out at Bronwydd.

Some 20 miles of the A484 was affected by the extreme weather conditions in October 2018, stretching from Carmarthen to Cenarth.

And only last week the Tivyside Advertiser reported concerns from drivers over the poor state of the road, one of the main north-south routes in West Wales, which is not classified as a major trunk road and is therefore the responsibility of the local authority and not Welsh Government.

Phase two of the support works have now started at other affected areas at Henallt Bends, Pante South, Llwyfan Cerrig Station, Foelfach, Tirgwili/Rock and Fountain, Mile End, Nantclawdd, the A484/A475 junction, Gelligatti before finishing at Flatwood in Cenarth.

Works will include felling damaged trees, providing foundations for new safety barriers, stabilising embankments and installing new highway drainage chambers.

Carmarthenshire Council secured funding from Welsh Government to carry out maintenance of the highway in response to detailed inspections following the storm.

Cllr Hazel Evans, county councillor for the Cenarth ward and executive board member for environment, said: “This has been a very complex operation covering over 20 miles and involving a number of agencies.

“While the safety of the public is paramount, every effort will be made to ensure these essential works are carried out with as minimal disruption as possible until they have been completed.

“We understand that this has had a major impact on the local community and road users, and we would like to thank them for their patience and co-operation while these recovery and repair works are being carried out.”