Planned roadworks on the A470 at Talerddig that were due to begin next week will be paused until the New Year.

A section of the road was planned to be closed for around seven weeks from Thursday, October 31, to rebuild a retaining wall that collapsed a year ago.

The Welsh Government said the situation had been reviewed following the fatal rail crash involving two trains near Llanbrynmair which took place on Monday evening (October 21).

The A470 between Carno and Glantwymyn remains closed in both directions until further notice.

READ MORE | A470 remains closed after Powys train crash as investigation is in 'early stages'

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: "My thoughts are with all affected by the rail incident, and my sympathies are with the family of the man who lost his life.

“Pausing the work at Talerddig until the New Year is the right thing to do at this point to allow time for the community to come to terms with the sad events which have taken place.

READ MORE | 70-mile diversion as A470 in Powys to shut for SEVEN WEEKS to fix collapsed road

"While every effort is made to minimise disruption, beginning the work next week would have brought uncertainty at a difficult time.

"We will provide further updates on a revised timetable for the roadworks.”

Traffic lights will remain on the road for the rest of this year, with one lane closed. There will be regular monitoring of the road during this time.

'Potential chaos'

Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George is calling on the Welsh Government to consider other options during the next few months to get the work completed quicker and reduce the impact on residents and businesses.

"The repair works on the A470 at Talerddig are very much needed and long overdue," he said.

"However, the concern for me, the community and affected businesses was the complete road closure for up to seven weeks," he said.

"The official diversion is a 70-mile route, which would have caused significant disruption, and potential chaos on smaller roads."

He added: "Our hope is that this delay will also allow the Government to consider other options, such as 24 hours a day, seven days a week working to complete the works quicker or consider other options to keep one lane open during working hours."