‘Large chunks of an M4 bridge are falling off and landing close to people’s houses’

People living along a Port Talbot street are worried about their safety because debris from the M4 keeps falling in front of their homes.

The major motorway stands above the town on 45ft pillars and towers directly over those living on Ynys Street.

Paul Heatman is one of the residents who lives closest to the bridge which thousands travel along every day.

The 64-year-old said he fears someone will get seriously injured – or worse – one day because of the large chunks of rubble that fall just two metres or so in front of his garden.

He claims it has happened several times in the 30 years he has lived there – with the most recent debris falling last weekend.

He said: “I noticed two chunks of concrete had fallen from the motorway on Sunday – two chunks of debris.

“The debris comes off in rocks the size of house bricks and I would estimate they are falling between 18 and 20 foot in total and land roughly two metres from the front of my garden.

“People walk under on the footpath and children play underneath it – If one of the chunks had hit a child it would probably kill the child.”

Mr Heatman claims a few years previously rubble from the bridge fell onto his car with such impact that it was written off.

“About two or three years ago rubble from the bridge crashed onto the roof and corner of my car and caused it to be written off,” he said.

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“It was the car I used in the day for work and they refused to pay for it. In the end it had to go through a claims court and then they ended up paying out.”

However, Mr Heatman’s main concern is for the people at risk underneath the bridge.

“Not enough is being done about it, but something needs to be done before someone is seriously hurt,” he said.

“In the whole time I’ve lived here, I’ve only seen the bridge being inspected once.”

Another Ynys Street resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was also aware of the issue and that it was “scary” for those living there who worry about the possibility of someone getting hurt as a result of the debris.

On Wednesday, February 24 he said he noticed a large chunk missing from one pillar of the bridge.

“It’s worrying really, I’ve lived there for 18 years and my parents live nearby so I’ve pretty much always lived underneath it.

“Previously it had never been an issue but it’s gotten worse in the last two or three years since Paul’s car was written off.

“This morning about 200 yards down the street I noticed chunks of concrete had come away from one of the pillars.

“Where that was you could actually see the metal rods in the pillar. It was probably about 16 inches wide and 16 inches in circumference.

“There’s obviously a bit of an issue. Hopefully it doesn’t fall on anyone, but if it does there could be a fatality. I know people walk under there and kids play under there – it’s quite a busy street.”

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A south Wales trunk road agent spokesperson said: “Bridges in the area are inspected regularly, in line with industry guidance.

“We undertook a detailed survey of the structure to inform a concrete repair scheme, which is currently being designed.

“Engineers visited the area [on Tuesday, February 23] and did not identify loose areas.”