Do you want the good or bad news first?

 

The bridge, which provides motorists coming from the Welshpool direction with a popular back route into the town to avoid traffic jams, was closed at Christmas due to the cold snap creating structural concerns, and wrangles between Powys County Council, CADW and environment groups have thwarted progress.

 

But while the bridge is set to open to single lane non-HGV traffic this week, the good news was dampened by a revelation that it will close again next year.

 

The news was leaked by Montgomeryshire AM Russell George who posted on Facebook: “At last! Work is underway and all being well it will open for one way traffic (traffic light controlled) by the end of the week. But the bridge will have to be re-closed for main structural repairs to walls etc from next March for six months.”

 

Nevertheless, Newtown councillor Richard White said he was delighted the bridge was to open but added that “ultimately, we need a new bypass to sort out the town’s traffic problems”.