Funding issues delay work on unsafe bridge

Old Bassaleg Bridge, in Newport, was shut suddenly in August 2021, leaving residents from Forge Mews frustrated

Building work on a new bridge, reconnecting stranded residents with the wider community, will not begin until at least April 2026.

Old Bassaleg Bridge, in Newport, was shut suddenly shut in August 2021 due to significant structural damage, leaving residents concerned for their safety after emergency vehicles struggled to access the area.

Newport council said the £1m it received from a Welsh government fund was less than "the full amount it needed to progress with the construction phase of the project".

It had since abandoned plans to repair the existing bridge, and instead proposed a replacement structure, which previous estimates suggested could cost £9 million.

Given the new delay to construction beginning, it could be at least 2028 before Forge Mews becomes fully accessible once again.

Residents have been cut off by road since the summer of 2021 when inspectors closed Bassaleg Bridge over safety concerns.

Although pedestrian access has been restored, residents from Forge Mews still can't reach their homes by vehicle.

There have also been reports of problems with emergency service access.

Newport City Council estimates the new bridge will take around two years to build once construction begins

The council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it had received nearly £7m in Welsh government transport funding last week, but that sum had been divided into amounts allocated towards specific projects.

The "£1m for Bassaleg Bridge" included in that government funding would be put towards the "continuation of the design and survey work" for a replacement structure, the council confirmed.

The council added it had submitted a bid for "the full amount it needed to progress with the construction phase of the project", and said it was "disappointed this bid was not successful, as it means we will not be able to commence with construction in this financial year".

The council bid for £6.4m for the current financial year, and a further £2.6m for the following year.

"We will continue to discuss the progression of the scheme with Welsh government colleagues and will provide further updates about this to residents once available," the local authority added.