Meirionnydd councillors have accused the Welsh Government of ignoring local opinion after they decided not to hold a public inquiry on the new Dyfi Bridge plans.

During a site visit on 13 January, transport minister Ken Skates said there was “popular support for this and it should go ahead as soon as it possibly can”.

The current 200-year-old bridge, which is often affected by flooding and collisions, will be replaced by a new bridge around 480 metres upstream.

Both Tywyn councillor Mike Stevens and Aberdyfi councillor Dewi Owen believe local voices have been ignored.

Cllr Stevens, who has been an avid supporter of a bypass instead of a bridge, labelled the decision “a kick in the teeth for thousands of people in south Meirionnydd”.

Cllr Owen, who welcomed the new bridge plans but was disappointed at the lack of a roundabout, added: “These planners don’t listen to local people; they don’t live in the vicinity. They often think they know better than people living in the area.”

He said: “I was told by the Welsh Government that there isn’t a high enough volume of traffic to justify having a roundabout.

“To justify the cost, I just hope that it prevents fatalities without the need for the roundabout.”