ESSENTIAL repair work is due to start again on Llechryd bridge this month – but there is still no set date for when it will reopen.

The bridge – one of the main crossing points over the River Teifi – was closed to traffic in February after being completely submerged by floodwater during Storm Dennis.

Ceredigion council highways officials shut the bridge over safety concerns.

The bridge had previously been closed for seven weeks at the end of last year for essential repair work estimated at £100k following damage during the record flooding brought about by Storm Callum in 2018.

But contractors for Ceredigion County Council were unable to complete all the necessary repairs and the work was due to be completed in March this year when the National Resources Wales fisheries embargo preventing work in the river over the winter period was lifted.

The advent of the coronavirus pandemic and high river levels put paid to those plans.

The work required on most of the bridge elements including the wing walls, spandrel, relief arches and parapets had been completed, with further repairs due to be carried out on the main spans arches, abutments, cutwater and invert.

In preparation for the latest work, debris which had been trapped under the bridge arches has now been cleared and a council spokesperson said: “A package of repair works have been awarded to a specialist contractor, who is due to commence work this month.

“The works will address the damage caused by recent flood events and also assess a number of other defects identified following a recent underwater inspection.

“A decision on reopening the bridge to vehicular traffic will not be made until these works are completed satisfactorily.”