Canal bridge conundrum is 70 years in the making

Concerns that a vital bridge that links Oldford with Maesydre and Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng will close is a problem that has been 70 years in the making, it has been revealed.

This week, Welshpool Mayor, Cllr Nick Howells, voiced concerns that the bridge, which went through emergency repairs last year, is close to being condemned and unless someone takes ownership, it could end up closing.

That would pose a huge health and safety issue for those trying to cross the canal, with once councillor, Chris Davies, at this week’s full Welshpool Town Council meeting explaining that “hundreds of people, mostly children and elderly, use that bridge every day”.

The council's Operations Manager, Paul McGrath, said an inspection that he carried out with a speciliast architect revealed that the bridge “was not in immediate danger of closure”, but warned councillors that there was serious corrosion and he wasn’t able to say how long it could remain operational.

“I am trying to get to the bottom of who owns this bridge, but it is a problem that is 70 years old,” he said, explaining that documents in 1952 showed that the then Borough Council carried out work “so that kids could get to the school and playground”.

“But there is no definitive proof anywhere of who owns the bridge. In 1978 the then Town Clerk accepted responsibility for work and the Canal & Rivers Trust paid for the work.

“It is a public footpath so also Powys County Council should take responsibility in my view. But ultimately, all parties – Town Council, County Council and Canal Trust – have a duty of care that it is repaired.”

Cllr Richard Church, also a county councillor, said that it was time the issue was resolved as “this is going round-and-round in circles”.

“We need to approach the other parties concerned with a solution, but first we need to have an estimate for how much the work will cost and take it from there,” said Cllr Church.

“It’s needs to be a collaborative approach working with Powys and the (Canal & Rivers) Trust, and there is money from the Active Travel fund for things like this, but we need to know how much we are talking about, so I propose we get an estimate first.”

Councillors backed Cllr Church’s proposal, and will hear back at a future meeting on the costs associated before plotting their next move.