Council hits out over Machynlleth bridge work delay
Wednesday 11th August 2010, 11:28AM BST.
Angry councillors in a Mid Wales town have hit out at the length of time it is taking to repair a historic bridge, which was damaged by a lorry in June.
The Dyfi Bridge on the main route into Machynlleth still has temporary traffic lights in place.
Lorry drivers have to take a 20-mile detour to get through the town following the incident.
Town councillors have now criticised the Welsh Assembly for taking so long to fully reopen the bridge.
John Parsons, Machynlleth town clerk, said he was told the work on the 200-year-old bridge was due to finish by the end of July.
He said: “I travel that road daily and apart from when they took stones out of the river when it happened I have not seen anyone working on the bridge again, I think it is disgusting.
“We are very disappointed with the situation and I suggest we call a meeting with assembly officials over it.”
The bridge has traffic lights to allow one lane of light traffic to travel along the A487, but some councillors are claiming lorries are using the route regardless, causing a pot hole on the bridge to grow in size.
Town councillor Sylvia Rowlands said: “I suggest we urge them to get on with the work rather than having meetings about it.
“My worry is that the bridge may lay idle for ages and I am scared that someone could get hurt travelling over it.”
A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly said the work had been delayed because as the bridge was a Scheduled Ancient Monument and has grade-II listed status, discussions were needed with Cadw, which protects Welsh heritage sites.
He said: “The repairs are classed as an emergency and it is planned to have the work completed as soon as possible.”
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