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Drivers face 70-mile detour due to hole in road

BBC A hole can be seen in the A470 in Talerddig, with barriers around it and the river seen flowing below, with trees either side.BBC
The hole appeared in what is one of Wales' major roads in November 2023

Drivers using a main road between north and south Wales face a 70-mile diversion.

Work to repair a hole in the A470 in Talerddig, Powys, began on Monday morning and could take up to 12 weeks.

In addition to the detour for drivers, local children will need to travel to school by train, with one pupil Heledd saying this would add two hours to her journey.

Councillor Elwyn Vaughan told BBC Radio Wales breakfast: "It is a long 70-mile detour but unfortunately it's unavoidable."

Mr Vaughan said that "hopefully it will be less than that".

The hole appeared in November 2023 after part of a retaining wall which is over 5m (16ft) collapsed, with a river below.

Since then, only one carriageway has been open, with traffic lights controlling the flow of vehicles.

Mr Vaughan said work was due to take place in the autumn but was delayed after a train crash in the village. Back then, the work was scheduled to last for seven weeks.

Mr Vaughan said the expected closure time was now longer due to Severn Trent having to move a water main and to take into account the wintry weather conditions.

He said the closure would be in place for "up to 12 weeks", adding that contractors would be "trying to minimise this if at all possible".

Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the road under the supervision of contractors.

Mr Vaughan urged drivers to avoid using a nearby single track road if possible as this has a 7.5 tonne weight limit and is not suitable for heavy traffic.

Google Maps/Traffic Wales Google maps image showing diversion routeGoogle Maps/Traffic Wales
The diversion will be in place for up to 12 weeks

A Welsh government spokesperson advised people to plan ahead due to the disruption from this essential work.

The diversion, heading east from Talerddig, takes drivers through Caersws, Newtown and Welshpool before rejoining the A470 at Mallwyd.

Among those affected by the closure is Chloe, from Machynlleth, whose eight-year-son, JJ, has additional learning needs and travels to a special school by taxi.

She told the BBC that his journey took an hour without the detour and she was concerned as to how he would cope with the extra time it would now take.

Chloe said she may need to take time off work to take her son to school herself if "he needs additional support in the car".