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Work carried out during the week ending 2nd September

Here is a roundup of what work has been carried out this week: • Setting out the alignment for the new culverts and cascade. • Blinding layer placed below the cascade • Shuttering constructed for the first step of the cascade • Steel fixers onsite assembling reinforcement in the cascade. Week Commencing 5th September

Some of the works programmed for next week include: • First concrete pour set for Monday • Shuttering to be constructed for the 2nd step in the cascade • Steel fixers assemble reinforcement in 2nd step • Second concrete pour possible at the end of the week

Work carried out during the week ending 19th August Work to upgrade the culvert and reinstate the road at Castle Drive has started. Here is a roundup of what work has been carried out this week.

Work planned for the week commencing 22nd August Some of the works programmed for next week include:

A project to restore the vital culvert at Castle Drive in Cimla, Neath, which collapsed last year due to torrential rainfall, is due to start with immediate effect.

It follows a decision by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet on Thursday (July 28th) that the council will guarantee to meet a potential funding shortfall for the replacement work which is now due to completed in this financial year.

Neath Port Talbot Council was successful in obtaining Welsh Government funding to design a replacement culvert for Castle Drive and earlier this year the council also obtained funding to carry out the work itself.

But in recent months, costs have escalated due to inflation with construction items, transport and plant all going up in price. The cost of diversion work for facilities has also substantially increased.

As a result, a further bid has been submitted to the Welsh Government to make up the shortfall but at the moment, there is no funding available.

However, council cabinet members guaranteed at their meeting that if no Welsh Government grant is available, the money could come from the council’s capital spending programme 2022/23 - meaning the project can start now.

Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Wellbeing, said: “I am pleased that with our decision to underwrite the funding gap we can now start preparing to repair the damage caused on a night of torrential downpours across South West Wales.

“We are going to see more of these extreme weather events which is why we must all – including this council - do everything we can to fight climate change.

“The culvert being washed away caused a lot of transport problems in this area and I’m glad work can now start to put things right.”

Scott Jones, the council’s cabinet member for Streetscene, added: “We would like to thank local residents for their patience following the disruption caused by this collapse. We are delighted restoration work can now begin.”

© Neath Port Talbot Council