Powys: Pont ar Ddyfi bridge remains closed after floods

Flooding the Dyfi Valley area on Christmas Eve

A bridge in Powys remains closed on Christmas Day due to flooding.

Pont ar Ddyfi, in Machynlleth, was shut in both directions on Sunday following heavy rain.

Traffic Wales said the A487 between Machynlleth and Furnace was also closed due to flooding.

Natural Resources Wales said it expected river levels in the area, which is prone to flooding, to be higher than normal.

Work on a new section of the A487 north of Machynlleth, including a new bridge across the Dyfi River, is expected to be completed in early 2024.

The Welsh government said the £46m works were taking place because the existing bridge was not "designed for the levels of traffic that now cross it".

"The road is often closed due to regular flooding and that leads to a diversion of up to 30 miles (48km) to traffic," a spokesperson said.

The bridge is closed due to flooding

Olwen Fôn Williams, who planned to drive over the bridge on Sunday, told BBC Cymru Fyw she had "never seen such a flood".

"The sign that the road was closed had blown over so we didn't see a sign until we noticed that the red light was permanent at the bridge," she said.

"It is very bad in the area."

A yellow warning from the Met Office for heavy rain ended on Sunday.

Bus company Lloyds Coaches announced changes to their timetable due to the closure of the bridge.