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New bearings for bridge

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jointbearingsPEMBROKESHIRE County Council is blazing an engineering trail. 

The Council has recently installed new joint bearings on the 820 metrelong Cleddau Bridge to deal with bridge movement. It’s the first use in Britain of innovative German ‘double sliding cylindrical bearings’. The new bearings are capable of rotational as well as longitudinal movement and should suffer less distress over the years from the environment than their predecessors. “The new movement joint bearings replace the bridge’s two original roller bearings, which have lasted for almost 40 years,” said Darren Thomas, head of highways and construction at Pembrokeshire County Council, which is responsible for the bridge upkeep. “Unfortunately the old bearings were beginning to wear and seize up so something needed to be done.” A report by specialists confirmed the need to replace the original bearings and work began on the feasibility of removing and replacing the roller bearings. However, attempts to find companies to supply and fit replacement roller bearings proved difficult as none could be found to provide the quality of the steel used on the originals. Lack of space at the site of the bearings for installation was another daunting factor. The German firm Maurer heard of the council’s predicament and proposed an alternative – their innovative double sliding cylindrical bearing (DSCB) which could be made to fit in the space available and also function well. Installation was contracted to the British structural engineering company Ekspan – the German bearings effectively being assembled in situ in a very cramped space. “The replacement took place over eight days this April and was actually rather simple – a lot of work humping big bits of steel around with some finesse employed at the end,” said PCC bridge engineer, Kevin Lowther. “We kept the bridge fully open to traffic throughout.” He said the new bearings were guaranteed by Maurer for five years but were expected to last at least 50. The total cost of the replacement project was £263,000 – of which £50,000 was for the bearings and their installation.

 

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Road closed after serious crash on B4333 near Capel Iwan

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Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital as police arrest van driver and appeal for witnesses

A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a two-vehicle collision on the B4333 near Capel Iwan on Tuesday morning (Apr 8).

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Maudlands stretch of road shortly after 7:00am following a collision involving a white Mercedes Sprinter van towing a trailer and a black Triumph motorbike.

The rider of the motorbike was taken to hospital by air ambulance, where he is receiving treatment for serious injuries.

Police said the driver of the Mercedes van, a 45-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He remains in police custody.

The road was closed while collision investigators carried out enquiries at the scene.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses, and are asking anyone who saw either vehicle before the crash to come forward.

They are also urging anyone with dash-cam footage, CCTV or doorbell footage covering the stretch of road to contact police.

Information can be passed to Dyfed-Powys Police online, by email to [email protected], by calling 101, or by direct message via social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

The reference number is DP-20260408-055.

 

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Climate and nature hustings to be held in Cardigan ahead of Senedd election

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West Wales Climate Coalition invites Ceredigion Penfro candidates to face voters’ questions on climate change and nature at public Guildhall event

CARDIGAN voters will have the chance to put their questions directly to Senedd election candidates at a climate and nature hustings taking place in the town next week.

The event, organised by West Wales Climate Coalition, will be held at the Guildhall in Cardigan on Thursday (Apr 16).

All parties have been invited to take part in the hustings, which will focus on climate change, nature and environmental policy in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency.

Organisers say the event will give local people the chance to hear directly from candidates hoping to win seats in the upcoming Senedd election, while also pressing them on how they plan to respond to what campaigners describe as the growing climate and nature crisis.

Free food will be available from 6:00pm, provided by Street Food Morocco, with the hustings beginning at 6:30pm. Simultaneous translation will also be available.

The evening will be run in the style of a People’s Assembly, with attendees first breaking into small groups to discuss and agree questions before putting them to the panel. The event will conclude with candidates summing up their campaigns and environmental commitments.

Philip Hughes, of West Wales Climate Coalition, said: “We chose to host this event in Cardigan because the public are becoming increasingly worried about the environment, and often politicians underestimate the importance voters put on the climate and nature crisis.

“This Senedd election must be a turning point for nature and the climate crisis and we need ambitious and passionate leaders to make that happen.

“The upcoming Senedd election will be a defining moment for nature’s recovery, as the next Welsh Government’s actions can play a crucial role in contributing to a more liveable planet for us all and especially our children.”

Organisers say Wales remains one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and warn that urgent political action is needed to tackle nature loss, climate change, pollution and waste.

They say one in six UK species is now at risk of extinction and argue that strong leadership will be needed from the next Welsh Government if that decline is to be reversed.

 

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Local Government

Slade Park pavements cleaned after residents raise safety concerns

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HAVERFORDWEST Castle Ward’s county councillor Thomas Tudor says action has now been taken to deal with slippery, moss-covered pavements at Slade Park after concerns were raised by local residents.

Residents contacted Cllr Tudor about the condition of the footpaths within the housing complex, warning that the thick build-up of moss was making the surfaces dangerous underfoot.

Photographs taken before the work was carried out show large sections of pavement covered in moss, creating a potentially hazardous surface for pedestrians.

Cllr Tudor said he was pleased to report that, following his intervention, the pavements have now been cleaned by Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Services.

He praised the maintenance team for their work and said the clean-up would make a real difference for people living in the area.

Among those pleased with the result was local resident Cora Hackett, who was pictured after the work was completed.

 

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