HEAVY rain has delayed the re-opening of a major road which was the scene of a double-death tragedy on Monday afternoon.

The drivers of a cattle lorry and a Mercedes estate car, both in their 40s, were killed in an horrific collision on the bridge which carries the A5 over the River Ceiriog, between the Halton and Gledrid roundabouts.

Cattle travelling in the lorry, which is believed to have been bound for South Wales, were injured and had to be destroyed by police marksmen.

The driver of a third vehicle involved, a Volvo tanker, sustained only a minor head injury and did not require hospital treatment.

The road - the main route between North Wales and the Midlands - has been closed since immediately after the accident, with traffic being diverted through nearby Chirk causing massive congestion.

Major repairs are being carried out to the roadside safety barriers, which were badly damaged in the collision.

A spokesman for Wrexham Council, which has now taken over responsibility for the operation, said: "There were plans to open the road later this afternoon (Wednesday) after road traffic safety measures had been put in place.

"However, heavy rain in that area has hampered the work and it unlikely the road will open today.

"Hopefully, it will now open tomorrow, depending upon the weather."       

The crash has led to calls by Chirk councillors for the road, which they have branded as a "deathtrap" to be upgraded into a dual carriageway