A MACHYNLLETH councillor has said that flooding at the weekend, which ripped up the side of the Dyfi Bridge access road, is proof of the urge­nt need for a new bridge.

For the fourth time in just over a month, the Grade II-listed bridge was closed to traffic on Saturday evening as water levels got to within 1cm of the 4.03m record set in 2009.

A trail of destruction was left as waters receded overnight on Saturday and into Sunday, with concrete kerbs and railings torn up and strewn across the road, leading to yet more travel misery for motorists.

Speaking to the Cambrian News, Cllr Mike Williams said the frequent road closures were evidence of the need for the proposed £24m new Dyfi Bridge plans to go ahead without delay.

Cllr Williams said: “The road betw­een the two bridges is closed not beca­use of flooding, but because the flood waters ripped away side of the road and the metal railings.

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