THE A484 at Cwmduad is set to partially re-open next month after a landslide which claimed the life of a 21-year-old man during Storm Callum last year.

Carmarthenshire County Council has been leading a highly complex operation to clear the road between Newcastle Emlyn and Carmarthen and stabilise the land since October, when the landslide tragically claimed the life of Corey Sharpling, from Newcastle Emlyn.

Works are progressing well and providing things continue to go to plan, the council hopes to re-open a single lane on March 18.

To date, the operation has involved extensive clearance and reinstatement of land off the highway, with the creation of a 10-metre buffer zone; construction of a ramp from the highway to the river to aid the recovery of lorry that was swept in by the force of the landslide; and clearance of silt from the highway.

Work currently underway includes the construction of highway support and reinstatement of the bank to the east of the highway, as well as highway drainage clearance and reinstatement.

The final stage of works – which will take place alongside the single carriageway opening - will involve rebuilding a parapet wall alongside the highway, before the road can be fully re-opened.

Ruth Mullen, director of environment for Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “We are pleased that works have progressed well and we can now plan for the partial re-opening of the road.

“We are grateful for the support from the community during a prolonged and difficult period. It has been a complex project and we have continued to be mindful of the sensitivities both locally and within the community where one person tragically lost their life.

“While we have worked at pace to enable the highway to be reopened as quickly as possible, the safety of the public has always been our primary focus.”