Calls for Llansantffraid bridge works to be speedy
Business owners in a village near the Shropshire/Powys border say they hope the £500,00 repair works on a road bridge will be completed as quickly as possible because the closure is forcing them into extra 20-mile round trips.
Work on B4393 Llansantffraid Bridge at Llansantffraid closed the road to all vehicles earlier this month and it is scheduled to last until November.
Jason Stokes, who runs the Grove Interiors antiques, furniture and computer business in the village, lives just one mile from Llansantffraid and he would normally use the road bridge to get to his business.
But now the bridge has been closed he must make a 10-mile detour to get to work.
He said: "I live exactly one mile from Llansantffraid and I have been left with two choices now. Either I can take a nine-mile trip through country lanes or a 10-mile trip up to Llynclys Crossroads and back round. Everyone accepts the work is needed but I think everyone is hoping the work is done on schedule.
"Twenty weeks is a long time and it is causing disruption in the village. There are road signs saying the road is closed even though you can still get into the village through other routes.
"You wonder if that is putting people off coming and having an impact on business, especially the tourist businesses.
Jan Lyndley runs the Jugs B&B business on the edge of the village on the other side of the bridge and faces a 10-mile journey to get into Llansantffraid for supplies.
She said: "We can walk in to get smaller things but we have to drive if we want larger items. It is causing disruption although of course the work has to be done.
"I would hope they get it done as quickly as possible because you are talking about the entire summer season."
Llansantffraid's Powys County Councillor Gywnfor Thomas said he had received complaints about the closure and was pressing highways bosses to make sure the contractors kept to the planned timescale.
Councillor Thomas added that the work was vital and the Grade II?listed bridge would likely have been out of action for even longer if the repair work was not agreed this year. On completion of the works the existing 18 tonnes maximum gross weight restriction will be removed.
Councillor Barry Thomas, cabinet member for environment and regulation, said: "The decision to close a bridge is never taken lightly because of the impact it has on local residents and businesses. In this case we hope the long-term benefits from the restoration of this attractive and historic bridge and removal of the 18 tonnes weight restriction will be appreciated.
"We hope to complete the work by early November 2013 but this is dependent on the weather."
