A call to move an agricultural building so works can be made on a major Ceredigion road to Pembrokeshire, that has seen a set of “temporary” traffic lights in place for six years, has been backed.

“Temporary” traffic lights were installed at Troedyrhiw on the A478 between Penybryn and Cardigan after a lorry toppled over the bank in October 2020, closing the southbound carriageway.

The lights have remained ever since, despite pressure to get essential highway repairs completed from Ceredigion Preseli MP Ben Lake and “the traffic lights that time forgot” removed.

During that time, the lights have outlasted four British prime ministers.

Frustrated drivers were offered hope after Ceredigion County Council said the final design for that section of the A478 was complete and work should start before the end of the year.

“The scheme will deliver improvements to this section of highway, and further information on the programme of works will be provided in due course,” the spokesperson added.

The council previously said the lights were installed because of “a long-standing highway edge support issue” and that a permanent solution was being developed.

Mr and Mrs Webb of Cefn Penybryn sought permission to replace an agricultural building in a field east of the A478 near Cardigan, in an application recommended for approval by the council’s development management committee on 11 November.

The committee considered the application because it had been submitted on behalf of the council, rather than being decided by planning officers.

An officer report for committee members said: “Full planning permission is sought for a replacement agricultural building required as a result of the planned A478 highway improvement works.

“The proposal provides a replacement agricultural building necessitated by the planned highway improvement works.

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Committee members backed the scheme after Cllr Gareth Lloyd called for its approval.