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Repair work that would have seen drivers face a diversion of up to 70 miles on a major road have been paused following the recent fatal train crash in mid Wales.

In November 2023 part of a wall beneath the A470 near Talerddig in Powys collapsed into a river, leaving a hole on the side of the road.

However, plans to close the stretch from 31 October until Christmas will now be paused until the New Year after a passenger died when two trains crashed near the village of Llanbrynmair earlier this week.

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said the decision had been made to "minimise disruption at a difficult time".

Tudor Evans, 66, from Capel Dewi in Aberystwyth, was killed in the crash on Monday evening.

Four people were also reported to be seriously injured in the incident near Llanbrynmair, while another 11 required hospital treatment.

Network Rail and Transport for Wales said the Cambrian line between Machynlleth and Shrewsbury will remain closed until at least the end of Friday, 25 October.

An investigation into what caused the crash is under way.

Speaking about the decision to halt the A470 works, Mr 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 to allow time for the community to come to terms with the sad events which have taken place.

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

He added that further updates on a revised timetable for the roadworks would be provided.

Traffic lights will remain on the road for the rest of this year, with one lane closed and regular monitoring taking place.