A DECISION to slash the weight limit for vehicles on a bridge over the river Rheidol in Capel Bangor will have a “dramatic effect” on farmers and businesses, a local councillor has warned.

The weight limit on Pont Rhiwarthen was changed from 17 tonnes to just three tonnes on 27 June, leaving heavy machinery, tractor, trailers and lorries from the village’s surrounding farms and businesses facing almost a five-mile detour to join the main road on the A44.

Rhodri Davies, Ceredigion county councillor for Melindwr ward, which covers the village, said residents and farmers were “concerned” about the move.

“It’s a big change, and people were told only a month ago,” he said.

“People I have talked to are concerned about the dramatic effect it will have.

“It will add 20 minutes to journeys for some who use the bridge several times a day.”

A meeting between residents, farmers and officers from Ceredigion council met at the bridge last week to voice concern and hear the reasons for the change.

A Ceredigion council spokesperson said: “The council is aware that this the bridge is not capable of carrying the 44-tonne weight limit as set out in the The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1994.

“There are a number of highway bridges on the county’s road network which have a weight limit imposed on them and all of these bridges are currently being assessed for their maximum load bearing capacity."