Drivers Face 70-Mile Diversion as A470 Closes for Three Months
Motorists will face a lengthy detour as a key section of the A470 shuts down for essential repairs.
A470, Talerddig, Dolfach, Wales, Traffic, Diversion
Newtown: So, here’s the scoop. Starting Monday, drivers are in for a 70-mile detour because a part of the A470 is closing for three months. This closure affects a three-mile stretch between Talerddig and Dolfach, running from January 20 to April 11.
Back in October 2023, a retaining wall along the A470 partially collapsed, leading to an emergency closure. They had to stabilize the road, which meant traffic lights were set up to manage the westbound lane. This setup has been in place to keep things safe while they figured out a permanent fix.
They did start working on that fix last October, but then things got delayed due to a tragic rail accident on the Cambrian railway line. Now, with the full closure coming up, they’ll be working hard until April 11. After that, they’ll switch to a two-way traffic light system while they finish up the construction. They expect to clear all traffic management by April 30.
Traffic Wales, the folks who keep an eye on the main routes in Wales, said they have to completely dig up the road to rebuild the wall. There’s really no way around it; the road has to close during this time.
The retaining wall is over 5 meters tall, and the road itself is less than 8 meters wide. To build the new wall’s foundations, they need the full width of the road to safely get their crew in there.
They’ve also extended the work to include a water main diversion. And just a heads up, the A470 will be closed 24/7 during this period, but pedestrians and cyclists can still get through. Westbound traffic will be rerouted through Caersws, Newtown, Welshpool, and Mallwyd to get back on track at Glantwymyn. Eastbound traffic will follow the same route in reverse.
Oh, and school transport is going to be affected too. Traffic Wales mentioned they’re doing this work in winter to avoid the busiest travel times, but it’ll still impact school buses. They’re working with transport authorities to sort it out, especially since it overlaps with the February half term.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said this work is crucial for keeping the road open in the long run. They know it’s going to be a hassle for drivers now, but it’s all about making sure the road stays safe and reliable for years to come.