Bridge project stalled

The town council's project to investigate funding for Long Bridge in Newtown is currently stalled due to staffing changes.

It's no secret that the cosmetic condition of the iconic Long Bridge in our town is a highly talked about topic.

In July 2023, the town council through it's Strategic & Corporate Projects Committee, teamed up with Newtown & District Civic Society with plans to work towards restoring the structure.

At the time, this partnership was hailed as the "essence of community-led initiatives".

However the project has stalled, town councillors will learn next week.

Due to staffing changes at the town council, the project is currently delayed and according to a report, "likely to go beyond 31st March [2025]".

The newly elected Mayor of Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn, Cllr Pete Lewington, who is also the lead councillor for the project commented on long bridge during Monday's full council meeting. He said:

"As a committee, we are very conscious of the significant anniversary that's coming up in 12 months time, but just to reiterate, that the project from a town council perspective, is to investigate and investigate only additional funding for any renovation of Long Bridge."

"So it's not to undertake any work, just to make that we continue to try to find some funding to get some renovation works done."

It is understood that the town council, working in partnership with Newtown & District Civic Society, have started to approch the National Lottery Heritgage Fund for the much needed grants to restore the structure.

Long Bridge was built in 1827 by Thomas Person and replaced an existing bridge. It was widened in 1857 due to increased traffic and the growth of the Penygloddfa area.