Call to protect Dyfi Bridge, Machynlleth

Calls have been made to raise the road surface on a 200-year-old Grade II-listed bridge in Powys to protect it from future flooding.

The Dyfi Bridge, on the outskirts of Machynlleth, which links Powys and Gwynedd, was severely affected by floods last week and had to be closed.

Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire, has now called on the Welsh Assembly to invest in improvements to the bridge.

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.

Mr Bates said: "I am deeply concerned about the impact of flooding on the local community. I have listened to businesses and residents explain first-hand how the floods have caused huge disruption to their lives.

"I have been calling for an improvement to the highway at Glandyfi by way of raising the road surface, to prevent closure due to flooding. It is deeply frustrating that despite years of hard lobbying, the people of Montgomeryshire are yet to see any commitment to a new bridge and bit of investment in the highway at Glandyfi."

A Welsh Assembly spokesman said discussions about Dyfi Bridge had taken place and members were looking at ways in which it could be improved.