THE published preferred plans for the new Dyfi Bridge are for a new bridge up-river and a new section of trunk road linking the new bridge to the current A487.

The plans were backed by Machynlleth town councillors who were pleased the plans did not include a proposal for a bypass of the town.

But questions were raised, especially by councillors in south Gwynedd, about whether continuing to use the route under the railway bridge at Machynlleth would still see problems with traffic delayed because of flooding in that area.

While the route would still go under the railway bridge in Machynlleth, there would be a separate stretch of new trunk road to link the new bridge with the A487 near the Dyfi Eco Park. That would lead to the current stretch of road, including the current bridge, being de-trunked and becoming an unclassified road.

Machynlleth councillor Michael Williams said this week he was pleased to see the scheme was finally making progress and welcomed the preferred plans as the option favoured in Machynlleth.

A Welsh Government statement said the scheme would mean that problems caused by traffic hitting the current bridge, forcing closures for repair work, and flooding by the train station would be addressed.

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