THE pedestrian crossing on Barmouth’s iconic bridge looks set to be saved from closure, following recommendations by Gwynedd Council’s chief executive.

In a report to county councillors, chief executive Dilwyn Williams recommends excluding the iconic viaduct crossing from swingeing cuts after accepting that the bridge is “important locally”.

However, the reprieve might only be brief, as Cllr Williams makes it clear in his report that the local community will be expected to “shoulder an aspect of the responsibility” within the next couple of years.

There had been concerns that the passenger footway was under dire threat following a lacklustre response in a recent public consultation.

Despite an online petition which attracted nearly 45,000 signatures, only 691 of the 2,142 Gwynedd residents who participated in the Gwynedd Challenge questionnaire opted to save the bridge’s pedestrian crossing (32.3 per cent).

However, Jamie Brooks of Barmouth Viaduct Access Group (B-VAG), an organisation determined to build a much-anticipated and safer walkway to Barmouth Bridge, said the figures were misleading.

“If you look at the response rates for local catchments - like Ardudwy, Y Gader and Tywyn - you’ll see that between 60 and 70 per cent of respondents wanted to save the bridge.Iit was a very high priority locally,” Cllr Brooks, who also sits on Barmouth’s Town Council, said.

“I never thought the bridge would close even if the county council was to withdraw funding, I’d even say it was 100 per cent unlikely. The bridge plays too big a part in the local community, our future is dependant on it remaining open.

“Even if we’d needed to take donations or similar, we wouldn’t have let it close.”

Cllr Brooks went on to explain how the viaduct was still very much on the local agenda.

“B-VAG members are in constant discussion with Gwynedd Council and Cadw to see how we can improve and repair Barmouth Bridge sympathetically and we’re currently talking to all the relevant partners so to ensure it is safe for future generations,” he said.

“We’re also pressing hard to build a new walkway to the bridge before a serious accident occurs on the narrow roads and pathways that currently lead to the viaduct.

“The harbour sea wall recently sustained some damage due to the recent bad weather, so B-VAG is seeing whether any repairs can benefit the walkway project.”

But Llangelynnin Cllr Louise Hughes said she still fears for Meirionnydd services.

She said: “The consultation was a joke. Only two per cent of those eligible actually filled the questionnaire in. You have to ask why so few people? Well, it’s because it was too complicated. That and people already know that there are only 10 councillors who make the decisions in Gwynedd, the Plaid Cymru Cabinet.

Cllr Hughes added: “I’ve said it in many public meetings, why not just cut to the chase and close Meirionnydd? They’ve been systematically stripping back frontline services from us for years - it’s becoming unsustainable.”

With regard to Cllr Hughes’ comments, a Gwynedd Council spokesperson has previously stated: “We are pleased with the responses received from local people and organisations and are grateful to everyone who took the opportunity to have their say on this important matter.

“In addition to the 2,142 individuals and organisations who completed the questionnaire, over 600 people attended sessions held across the county, and over 100 letters and emails were received - a response rate far greater than other similar consultations in other counties.”

“A financial strategy report that will include a finalised list of service cuts will then be presented to the council Cabinet in February before all 75 Gwynedd councillors come to a final decision in March.”