I REFER to the article by Sharon Harris, Barry & District News, Thursday August 25, ‘Call for action over time bomb bridge’.

I highlighted this very same issue approximately two or more years ago with Miles Punter of the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Mr Punter replied to my concerns over this bridge and informed me that he had instructed HSE officials and safety experts, etc, to fully inspect and appraise the structure of the bridge to ascertain if there were any major safety concerns.

His reply contained wording which stated the bridge was completely safe and presented no danger to the safety of rail or road users, etc.

Given that this bridge is more than 100 years old and has been exposed to elements such as salty sea air, etc, during this period I feel it is time to call in a qualified metallurgist to fully inspect the quality of metal that is exposed to the natural elements forthwith.

I have in my possession a bag containing many chunks of iron/steel that I collected from the ground directly beneath the bridge, I photographed all of the pieces and sent the photos to Mr Punter for his perusal prior to his reply.

I was shocked to see Matt Orum in your picture holding a large rusty nut and bolt that had allegedly fallen from the same structure.

I would like to know how a qualified HSE team can certify this bridge as being safe and danger free when large quantities of metal are continually found lying beneath the structure.

It is my opinion and that of others that this bridge is as your previous report suggests “a time bomb bridge”.

Barrie Vaughan Evans

Friars Road

Barry Island