Bridge closure adds to Bank Holiday bedlam

Newtown endured a Bank Holiday of more traffic misery compounded by the closure of a popular side road into the town since last night.

The road into Newtown through Llanllwchaiarn was closed since due to structural damage to the bridge at Aberbechain, and it has caused more headaches for motorists as the town became a giant bottleneck once again.

Milder weather on the final day of the Festive Holidays encouraged more residents to take to their cars but many were left frustrated as five-minute journeys took up to 45 minutes.

“It’s just become an absolute joke,” said Tim Thomas, who lives in Trehafren. “The town is becoming gridlocked and it will get worse as a lot of small cars go through the road (that has closed) to avoid the congestion. Now we have all got to go through the main road and it is a nightmare.”

Mr. Thomas also voiced concern that it could cost lives as he has heard both fire fighters and ambulance crews voice their worries about the delays getting in and out of the town.

The road was closed yesterday at 5pm after reports that the bridge had collapsed. Engineers have been on the scene but the Powys County Council web site has not yet provided an update to say when it could be re-opened.