Cleaning up after Storm Arwen

Crews from Bridgend County Borough Council worked around the clock during Storm Arwen to keep roads open and homes, people and property safe.

Shortly after a decision was taken late on Friday 26 November to cancel the weekend Santa Trail event that had been planned for Bridgend town centre, workers began responding to calls of high winds tearing slates from the roofs of local businesses in Wyndham Street and Market Street as well as properties in Coity Road and areas such as Brackla.

The severe weather continued throughout Saturday 27 November and saw workers responding to calls of entire stables being blown onto the B4281 in Cefn Cribwr, collapsed construction site fencing at South Street in Bridgend, downed telephone lines at Dock Street in Porthcawl, exposed sub-stations at Brackla Way, a partially-fallen community Christmas tree in Cefn Cribwr, and toppled fences affecting the highway at Tonna Road and Commercial Street in Maesteg.

They also dealt with fallen or dangerous trees blocking roads and leaning on power lines and cables at more than 19 locations including along the A48 and at Tythegston, Coychurch Road, Tondu Road, Pyle, Rogers Lane, Sarn, Penyfai, Kenfig Hill, North Cornelly, Merthyr Mawr, Maesteg, Coity, the Forge Industrial Estate, Pencoed, Brynmenyn, Broadlands, Heol Y Cyw and more.

Council staff have once again worked around the clock to support communities throughout Bridgend County Borough using equipment ranging from hoists and chainsaws to a JCB and more to keep roads clear, traffic moving, homes dry and people safe.

Council workers go above and beyond during severe weather like this, and I want to once more thank them for all of their efforts – it really is appreciated.

Councillor Stuart Baldwin, Cabinet Member for Communities