THE Welsh Government has taken the next step to providing a new Dyfi Bridge after it announced it would be publishing draft orders identifying the land the project will need in March.

The official draft statutory orders, which are needed to allow the scheme to proceed, will be published along with an environmental statement highlighting the land required for the scheme.

Public responses to the draft orders will dictate whether a public inquiry into the scheme is required.

The announcement about the draft orders has been welcomed by Powys Council, and highways Cabinet member John Brunt said the scheme is hugely important to the local area.

He said: “News that the Welsh Government will soon be embarking on formal processes connected with this much-needed scheme are to be welcomed.

“The problems connected with the bridge are well known and a replacement is long overdue. Work is scheduled to start next winter and when complete the new crossing will be a tremendous boost to the town and surrounding communities.”

A public exhibition into the £24m scheme was held in Machynlleth last year and saw support for the development from the Machynlleth area, although there has been doubts raised by members of Tywyn Town Council.

The new bridge is expected to open by 2019.