TRAFFIC is being allowed along Aberystwyth’s promenade once more, nearly two months after a fire destroyed a hotel on the seafront.

Ceredigion County Council confirmed today that following investigative work at Ty Belgrave, where a body was found two weeks ago by emergency services, Marine Terrace has now partially reopened, with one lane being reopened, but Terrace Road remains closed for the time being.

The hotel was destroyed by a fire in the early hours of 25 July and the site has remained cordoned off ever since.

Specialist teams have spent the last two months securing the site and two weeks ago recovered remains believed to be those of a Lithuanian man who was a guest at the hotel and who remains unaccounted for.

Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have completed their searches of the building and have vacated the site.

Fencing has been erected around the building to prevent unauthorised access and to preserve the scene for future proceedings.

Cllr Gareth Lloyd, Cabinet member with responsibility for public protection services which includes major incidents, said: “I would wish to thank the public for their patience in the previous two months and in advance as matters continue to the conclusion of these tragic circumstances.”

Senior investigating officer Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jenkins added: “Dyfed-Powys Police’s investigation in to the cause of the fire is ongoing but I am satisfied with the progress so far.

“Officers continue working hard behind the scenes to examine evidence and updates will be given when more information is available.”

Group manager David Hancock, lead fire investigator for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The instability of the remaining structure presented considerable challenges to the investigation team, with a full multi-agency approach taken to ensure all available evidence could be gathered in a safe working environment.

“The efforts of Ceredigion County Council, their appointed contractors and the Wales Fire and Rescue Services Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team are recognised as being integral to this.

“In association with Dyfed-Powys Police, our investigative activities to pull together all available evidence continue with a view to bringing this incident to a conclusion.”