Edwina Hart, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, yesterday confirmed that a timetable for a decision on a new river crossing for the Dyfi in Machynlleth would be announced by the end of this month.
The statement was made during a Minister’s Questions session on 5th March, in response to Montgomeryshire AM Russell George, who has published the results of an extensive survey of local residents’ opinions on a new river crossing over the Dyfi River in Machynlleth.
Over 2000 paper questionnaires were distributed, in addition to an online version, with the majority of respondents favouring a new crossing upstream of the current Dyfi Bridge.
The Minister outlined that the Welsh Government was working with key organisations, including Natural Resources Wales and Snowdonia National Park Authority and said that she expected to be able to give a firm timetable of the decision by the end of March.
Speaking about the statement, Mr George said:
“Local Machynlleth residents will be pleased to hear that a clear timetable for the decision about a new Dyfi river crossing will arrive within weeks. The bridge is a key pinch point in mid Wales’s transport network and the sooner this challenges can be alleviated, the better for residents as well as both local and regional businesses.
“This survey is a valuable source of hard evidence and I am happy that the Welsh Government agreed to consider it when making its final decision. It’s important that we take into account the views of those who know the area best and who will be using the new crossing.
“The Welsh Government’s response so far to this project is encouraging and I will continue to communicate with the Minister to ensure that the timetable remains on track.”
