Aberbechan Bridge could stay closed until October

A 150 year old bridge in Mid Wales closed to traffic and pedestrians after cracks were spotted in the structure may not reopen for more than 10 months.

The cracks in Aberbechan Bridge, on the B4389, near Newtown, were noticed by Powys County Council workers, who also saw stonework falling into river.

Ever since its closure on January 4, motorists in and around Newtown have been left facing snarl-ups of up to five miles as they queue to enter the town centre.

A report to Powys County Council today revealed that work on the bridge, which will cost more than £500,000, would not be starting until at least May and would take more than six-months to complete.

It comes after Councillor Wynne Jones demanded answers about the repairs.

He said: "There is now substantial disruption to the communities and business's of Aberbechan, Bettws and those that lie beyond."

Councillor Geriant Hopkins, council board member responsible for highways, said the importance of the bridge to the area was fully recognised.

He said: "There are a number of constraints on us regarding the works, the most critical of which is the Environment Agency restriction on carrying out works in the river between May and September.

"It is currently estimated that the works will take at least six months to complete with an earliest start date of May 2011."