£10m plan to replace bridge destroyed in storm set to be ditched

PLANS to rebuild a Denbighshire bridge destroyed by Storm Christoph are set to be scrapped, following serious concerns a new structure could jeopardise the water supply of 85,000 homes.

- By OWEN HUGHES Business Correspondent

Pont Llanerch, near Trefnant, collapsed in January 2021, and since then Denbighshire County Council has been working on proposals to replace the bridge.

But now a design report has revealed construction may pose a risk to the water supply of tens of thousands of residents.

The old bridge was above a vital freshwater aquifer used by Welsh Water to supply drinking water to the area.

But to build the new bridge, engineers would need to drill deep into sandstone layers, which could potentially create fissures contaminating the lake.

Around £1.5 million has already been spent on the design work, but Denbighshire says it can’t guarantee the works wouldn’t endanger public health, following a partnership scrutiny committee recommending pausing the project.

Officers are now recommending cabinet stop the bridge project - which would cost between £8m and £10m - based on the committee's advice.