A NEW passenger footbridge at Machynlleth railway station has been dubbed the town’s version of the Tower of Babel by one disgruntled resident.

The new bridge crosses the tracks to provide platform access to passengers and was installed over the weekend, but it has not won favour with all of the residents in the town.

Chris Laughton, who lives near the station, said the work had caused problems for nearby residents and criticised the “industrial appearance” of the new lift towers that serve the bridge.

He said: “There is no doubt that the old access to the station needed improving.

“However, given the beautiful setting of the view across the Dyfi Valley to the Snowdonia National Park, I am disappointed at the rather industrial appearance of the lift towers.

“Given the local floods we regularly have here, it’s as if Machynlleth now has its very own biblical Tower of Babel.

“It’s a shame that it now detracts from the handsome proportions of the main railway building itself.”

Network Rail said the bridge would help lots of people.

A spokesperson said: “The new stepped footbridge with lifts will benefit passengers with reduced mobility, those travelling with children or heavy luggage and those who simply find stairs a struggle.

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“The work was scheduled to take place over the weekend to cause the minimum amount of disruption to passengers and road users.”