£46m Gwynedd-Powys bridge opens today
Crossing the River Dyfi at Machynlleth, the bridge replaces the flood-prone, 200-year-old Pont-ar-Ddyfi structure.
The Dyfi Bridge is part of a new 1.2-kilometre section of the A487, linking Gwynedd and Powys counties. It was built by Griffiths, with advice from Arup, Ramboll, Arcadis, and Wallingford HydroSolutions. The bridge officially opens to the public at 2pm today.
The new section of road is one of the first major roadwork projects to complete in Wales after the Welsh government’s commitment last year to only fund projects that were proven to reduce carbon emissions and encourage active travel and/or public transport.
The project’s £46m price tag was paid for by the Welsh government and is being billed as a “climate resilient scheme” due to its ability to handle the river flooding. The project includes an active travel link.
David Parr, Griffiths’ managing director, said the contractor was “proud” to see the bridge open for public use.
“The scheme has been a real technical challenge but is testament to our commitment to addressing the effects of climate change, enhancing community access to essential healthcare and education services, all whilst focussing on active travel solutions,” Parr said.
“Through collective efforts, we have not only reduced our carbon footprint from construction but also invested in future generations through nurturing talents through apprenticeships.”
Lee Waters, Wales’ deputy minister in charge of transport, said the bridge was “a very visible symbol of the changes we are making and the way roads will be built from now on”.
He added later: “Our roads policy statement published last year makes clear that we will continue to invest in new and existing roads, but to qualify for future funding the focus must be on minimising carbon emissions, not increasing capacity; not increasing emissions through higher vehicle speeds, and not adversely affecting ecologically valuable sites.
“We have declared a climate and nature emergency, legislated to protect the well-being of future generations, and put into law a requirement to reach net zero by 2050.
“We must be prepared to follow through.”
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Those few tourists who now cross the Welsh border can enjoy the views at the leisurely 20mph speed limit imposed by their government. The rest of us will go to the Forest of Bowland, where we’re welcome.
By Anonymous
And those of us that cross the border by train or bus can then walk around the towns and villages safe in the knowledge that our chances of living if we are hit by a car have increased exponentially.
By Anonymous
Interesting that Griffiths claim a reduced carbon footprint. The photo suggests the road is on a reinforced concrete viaduct across the flood plain, which is unlikely to be the least carbon generating design to retain the ability for water to pass beneath the road. The use of such a structure prevents the ability to fit the road more gently into the landscape with hedges or trees on sections of embankment.
By Andrew Powell
£46m for less than a mile of road, just unbelievable.
By Anonymous
Anonymous 11.42 – are you really pretending to be victimised because you can’t drive above 20mph in Wales? Honestly, and they call young people the snowflake generation!
By Lmao
It’s good of the Welsh government to invest in a isolated area of the country but to cancel the third Menai Bridge a major arterial route and vital link to Ireland
By Anonymous
@lmao Victimised? Not a bit of it! 20mph is inconvenient in many circumstances and adds to time and cost. Its part of a wider narrative and policy programme from the Welsh government which indicates that visitors and their spend aren’t welcome. So guess what? We’re taking our money where it is. Visitor numbers to Wales are down by a third according to Visit Britain – not a clever move in a country where 150,000 jobs are dependent on tourism. I’d suggest among those feeling victimised are the locals seeing their career opportunities head down the Swanny.
By Anonymous
Anonymous honestly nobody apart from you is refusing to go to a country because they have a 20mph speed limit. That is one of the most entitled things I’ve ever read. If that is the biggest issue facing your life then I am extemely jealous and you are an extremely fortunate individual
By lmao
@lmao Yes, I am extremely fortunate and a 33 per cent fall in visitor numbers and Wales’s tanking economy would suggest that maybe – just maybe – implementing the woke playbook isn’t too smart a policy move when people have choices.
By Anonymous
Great but who is going to use it.? It was quicker travelling by horse and cart when I visited recently. Still, that 18th century vibe is probably nice for the few that venture over the border these days.
By Orsen bucket
People are aware that the speed limit doesn’t drop to 20mph as soon as they cross the border into Wales? It is in areas where there was a previous 30mph road, ie. towns.
How on Earth are these people property and construction professionals?
By red rose
Ah there it is – the word “woke” which signals you’ve lost the argument. Five pedestrians currently die on UK roads every day, and cars are the biggest killer of children. I’d like to see those numbers come down, and 20mph speed limits have been proven as a way of doing it. If that’s “woke” then I wear that badge with pride, I don’t see it as an insult. I suggest you think about other people other than yourself for once. 20mph speed limits are not the big deal you’re making them out to be – just slow down and don’t kill anyone. It’s not that hard
By lmao
Hi folks – let’s move the conversation along (at 20mph) past the Wales speed limit topic. Thanks – J
By Julia Hatmaker
Why even build a road in the first place? I mean if they really want to be sustainable then don’t pour thousands of tons of concrete and tarmac that’s the real solution to climate change and I happen to like that 19th century vibe we’re going back to.
By Anonymous