Funding secured for river bridge project

Over £1.7m of grants to help fund local transport schemes in Powys, including a new bridge in Newtown, has been secured by the county council.

The significant funding, announced by the Welsh Government last month has been allocated through the Active Travel Fund (£1.158m) Local Transport Network Fund (£350,000); Road Safety Revenue Grant (£125,260); and the Local Transport Fund (£85,000).

The total funding Powys County Council will receive is £1,718,260.

£1m from the Active Travel Fund will be for the ongoing active travel project taking place in Newtown, which will see a bridge built over the River Seven and link Canal Road and Pool Road for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Local Transport Network Fund will be used to improve public transport interchange facilities in Powys.

The Local Transport Fund will allow the council to design an active travel scheme in Llandrindod Wells.

The Road Safety Revenue Grant will allow the council to continue to provide its road safety initiatives to make the roads in Powys safer for all users.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Today’s announcement is great news for Powys and I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has awarded this funding which our residents and businesses will benefit from.”

Cllr Aled Davies, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Public Transport, said: “The funding is a substantial investment and will improve road safety, enhance public transport facilities and provide more and better routes that will enable the people of Powys to walk and cycle and to do so safely.”