A campaign has been launched to replace a 200-year-old Grade II-listed bridge in Powys with a new crossing.

The Dyfi Bridge, near Machynlleth, is severely affected by flooding and has also been regularly damaged by vehicles. The South Meirionnydd Older People’s Forum has launched a petition calling for a new crossing.

Officials at the Welsh Assembly said a number of options were being considered, including a new bridge.

Part of a side wall was knocked down by a lorry in June last year. This was the latest in a long line of incidents and it forced the closure of the bridge to trucks for several weeks.

Since the accident there have been calls from local residents and the business community for a replacement but a campaign has now been formally launched.

It has been supported by Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates.

He said for years residents had been calling for the bridge to be closed and a new one opened because it was regularly hit by vehicles and it flooded.

He said the petition would be formally presented to the Welsh Assembly’s petitions committee in two weeks’ time.

“Closure of the Dyfi Bridge causes huge disruption to individuals and businesses,” he said.

“I am concerned that this historic piece of architecture continues to be eroded by heavy transport and floods,” he said.

“It is high time for the Welsh government to look seriously at the urgent need to construct a new bridge and invest in improving the highway at Glandyfi.”

A Welsh Assembly spokesman said several options were being considered.

He said: “We are currently investigating a range of options for improving the condition of the A487 as well as exploring measures to reduce the impact of flooding.

“Options being considered at the Afon (River) Dyfi crossing include widening and strengthening the existing bridge as well as providing a new structure.”

He added that officials were currently finalising a report and he added that talks would be held with the historic monuments agency, Cadw.

• The petition can be found at the website here.

By Anwen Evans