A STEERING group established to lobby for a new Dyfi Bridge consistently backed a new bridge at the location that has now been suggested by consultants, minutes from meetings have shown.

The minutes from two meetings of the group, which was established by Machynlleth Town Council, show that representatives from south Meirionnydd almost unanimously backed a new bridge adjacent to the Millennium bridge for cyclists and pedestrians.

In fact, Meirionnydd representatives on the committee had opposed a suggestion from Tywyn campaigner Morgan Vaughan that a new bridge should instead be built to link Pennal and Derwenlas.

The minutes have been released after­ criticism from Tyw­yn councillor Mike Stevens that the opinions of people from areas outside of Machynlleth had not been taken into consideration and that there had been no attempt to include representatives from Meirionnydd in the process of planning for the new bridge.

The minutes from meetings held in 2011 show that meetings were atte­nded by representatives from Corris, Pennal, Aberdyfi, Aberangell and Tyw­yn, as well as Gwynedd Council, the Meirionnydd Older Peoples For­um and the National Assembly.