Machynlleth Dyfi bridge campaign hands over petition

Campaigners calling for a replacement bridge across a river between Powys and Gwynedd have handed in a petition at the Welsh assembly in Cardiff.

Dyfi bridge, near Machynlleth, is hit by localised flooding and has also been damaged by vehicles.

The South Meirionnydd Older People's Forum has collected more than 3,200 signatures for the petition.

The Welsh Assembly Government said a number of options were being considered, including a new bridge.

Thirty-four members of the forum travelled to Cardiff to hand over the petition calling for a replacement to the 200-year-old Grade II-listed bridge.

The crossing has been repeatedly damaged over the years.

Part of a side wall was knocked down by a lorry last June, forcing the closure of the bridge to trucks for several weeks. It was also closed last month during heavy rain.

Since the accident last summer there have been calls by local people for a replacement, but the forum launched a campaign.

The bridge on the A487 was again hit by localised flooding last month

An assembly government spokesman said: "Options being considered at the Afon Dyfi crossing include widening and strengthening the existing bridge as well as providing a new structure.

"We are in the process of finalising an options report and once this is completed we will be discussing the matter with Cadw, as the existing bridge is a scheduled ancient monument as well as a listed structure.

"Whilst floodwaters do not tend to overtop the bridge, they do reduce its safe load carrying capacity."