Work set to begin on £46m bridge
EXISTING STRUCTURE FREQUENTLY CLOSED BY FLOODS
CONSTRUCTION of a £46million bridge to help prevent a community from being cut off by flooding is to begin.
The Welsh Government has announced construction of the Dyfi Bridge near Machynlleth will begin in March.
The current 19th century bridge often has to be closed due to flooding, which affects people’s ability to access key services.
As a result, a viaduct across the floodplain and a river bridge across the Afon Dyfi will be constructed approximately 480m upstream of the existing bridge.
The original bridge will remain, and ministers hope the removal of traffic and the provision of a walking and cycle path will improve transport options and increase the attraction of the area as a tourist destination.
Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “As well as being a key route between North and South Wales, the A487 is an important link between communities.
“All too often these communities can find themselves isolated because of flooding at Dyfi Bridge.
“The new bridge will also make public transport more reliable, allowing people to access important services in Machynlleth and beyond.
“The existing listed 19th century stone bridge will continue to be an important asset for the area as an active travel route.”
Contractor Alun Griffiths plans to appoint a graduate engineer and two local apprentices to work on the scheme. Virtual jobs fairs and meet the buyer events will also be organised, and links set up with Ysgol Bro Hyddgen.
Griffiths’ Executive Director Martyn Evans said: “We are delighted to be working with Welsh Government to deliver these important improvements to the A487, making the route more resilient and reliable during flooding events.
“The new viaduct across the Dyfi Valley will also help to preserve the long-term integrity of the existing Dyfi Bridge, which is a Grade II Scheduled Ancient Monument. Before works commence in March, we will be undertaking significant community engagement, explaining our plans and detailing how we will be minimising disruption to the local community.”
The scheme will also include traffic calming and improved drainage on the A493 north of the bridge and a flood bund will be constructed to protect the Dyfi Eco Park from river flooding.
The new Dyfi Bridge is expected to be completed by Spring 2023.
HOUSING association Grŵp Cynefin plans to invest £17m into building new homes this year – including targeting rural areas where demand for second homes is pricing young people out of the market.
The group already manages a total of 4,800 properties throughout North Wales and Powys and will undertake additional multi-million pound schemes this year. They said their aim is to help build strong and sustainable communities – safeguarding heritage, culture and the Welsh language.
“I want us to get back to our roots,” says Shan Lloyd Williams, chief executive of the housing association (pictured).
“Grŵp Cynefin, like many other housing associations, needs to provide safe and affordable homes of the highest quality.
“But we want to do more than that, we want to create communities that our tenants and customers are proud of.
“Grŵp Cynefin has a clear goal to build strong and sustainable communities, after all we, as staff, form part of those communities.”
Shan will this week, celebrate three years since starting her role as Chief Executive at Grŵp Cynefin but very much has an eye on the future.
She said: “As we look forward to the year ahead, we want to focus on our rural areas where, statistics show, second homes are a growing problem, pricing young local people and their families out of the market. COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem.
“Working with our partner-agencies, we want to contribute to finding solutions, of creating affordable homes where young people in rural areas can afford to continue to live, work and enjoy in their localities.
“Grŵp Cynefin has a role to play in safeguarding heritage, culture and traditions and promoting the Welsh language in our work and developments.”
One such development is a mixed development that includes houses and bungalows at Gwalchmai on Anglesey. Llain y Delyn is a 10 property development with a mix of affordable housing and social housing tenancies that will soon be available for local people.
Grŵp Cynefin is also currently undertaking a major new health and well-being project at Penygroes, Gwynedd.
“Our vision is to create a modern, bespoke hub for the community to access health and dental services, pharmacy, preventative services, social services, accommodation for older people, offices, a crèche facility and an arts space, all on one site.”
“Situated in Dyffryn Nantlle, this will be a real boost to the community, one which brings together a number of partners, including Cyngor
Gwynedd, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Cwmni Theatr Bara Caws.
“It is a blueprint project for the county, and we are proud to be driving the project forward.”
Across in Denbighshire, Awel y Dyffryn the extra care facility for older people is also moving apace.
The £12m project is taking shape and on track to open in September.
The 66-apartment town centre scheme in Denbigh will offer tenancy to Denbighshire residents aged 60 and over, with 24 hour on-site support.
Grŵp Cynefin’s first low carbon housing estate, utilising modern methods of construction and off-site manufacture of the houses, is another ambitious project in the pipeline which will future proof homes through innovation and design.
With support from the Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing fund and in collaboration with other housing associations in North Wales, Grŵp Cynefin has ambitions to build 24 properties on land near Maes Dulyn in Penygroes, Gwynedd.