ABERYSTWYTH members of a charity which offers horse riding for children of a special needs unit have said that a decision to slash a weight-limit at a Capel Bangor bridge could mean the sessions being cancelled.

The Aberystwyth Riding for the Disabled Asso­ciation (RDA) has said it is “dismayed” at the Ceredigion County Council decision to close Rhiwarthen bridge to traffic exceeding three tonnes.

The charity said that the minibus it uses to take eight children from Llwyn yr Eos Special Needs Unit to the Rheidol Riding Centre in Capel Bangor every week, would exceed the weight limit and could potentially mean children missing out.

Judith Bray, the honorary secretary of the Aberystwyth RDA Group, said: “On Fridays children from the Special Needs Unit at Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos come by minibus to the Rheidol Riding Centre for an hour-long session.

“But because of the new weight restriction on the bridge, they can no longer approach directly from the A44.

“The alternative routes are along narrow lanes with few passing places and the one recommended officially is also very steep.

“Delays will be inevitable when the minibus meets HGVs and agricultural vehicles and, if severe, would make RDA sessions unviable."

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