Town council 'closes' bridge restoration project

The Town Council has officially concluded its project to explore funding for the restoration of Newtown’s historic Long Bridge.

Town councillors have offically closed it's project following discussions at the latest Strategy and Corporate Projects Committee meeting on 6th March 2025.

The project, originally launched in July 2023 in partnership with Newtown & District Civic Society, aimed to investigate possible external funding sources for the bridge’s renovation. However, councillors have now determined that the Town Council has fulfilled its role in the initiative and will formally pass on its findings to Powys County Council (PCC) for further consideration.

Long Bridge, a key historical structure built in 1827 and widened in 1857, has long been a topic of community discussion due to its deteriorating cosmetic condition. The Town Council’s involvement in the project was focused on influencing and advocating for funding rather than undertaking direct restoration work.

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In an update provided in September 2024, the project was described as “stalled” due to staffing changes at the council, with indications that any progress would likely extend beyond March 2025. At that time, newly elected Mayor Cllr Pete Lewington reiterated that the Town Council’s role was to seek funding rather than carry out renovations.

At the recent committee meeting, Cllr Pete Lewington and the Town Clerk, Ed Humphries, confirmed that:

• The Town Council’s role in the project has always been one of advocacy rather than direct action.

• Discussions with Powys County Council (PCC) revealed that while the bridge is structurally sound, no funds are currently available for renovation.

• Research into potential funding sources led to discussions with both the National Lottery Community Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The latter indicated that funding might be possible if PCC collaborated with the local community and Newtown & District Civic Society.

Given these findings, councillors agreed that the project had reached its intended conclusion. The committee resolved to close the project and requested that the Town Clerk formally communicate the funding information to PCC for potential future action.

What’s Next for Long Bridge?

With the Town Council stepping back, the future of Long Bridge’s restoration now lies with Powys County Council.

While funding sources have been identified, it remains uncertain whether PCC will pursue them.  The role of Newtown & District Civic Society and other community stakeholders could be crucial in encouraging further progress.