CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new £24m Dyfi Bridge will be made public within the next few weeks.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Independent Assembly Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, has written to the cabinet secretary for economy and infrastructure, Ken Stakes AM, regarding the progress of the development of the A487 Dyfi Bridge project, which may still be four years away from completion.

Although the idea for a new bridge to replace the current 17th century model has been widely welcomed across mid and north Wales communities, several Meirionnydd councils have questioned the wisdom of incorporating the same road which passes under the railway bridge in Machynlleth, a road which is notorious for flooding in the winter months.

Safety fears have also been raised over the layout of the junction where the road from Tywyn meets the main road to the bridge.

Mr Elis-Thomas AM said: “There is obviously a lot of interest about this project for a new bridge across the River Dyfi and we are all aware of the problems with the current bridge.

“Efforts to get an improved bridge have been ongoing for many years and I have contacted the cabinet secretary in order to receive an update on the progress on the latest developments on the Dyfi Bridge scheme.”

In a response to Mr Elis-Thomas’ letter, Mr Skates replied: “We are continuing to progress the development of this scheme in order to be in a position to publish draft Statutory Orders and an Environmental Statement before the end of March this year.”

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