Pont Briwet Bridge: Joyce calls for “clarity”

Assembly Member Joyce Watson has called on the Welsh Government to clarify plans for a replacement road and rail bridge in Gwynedd.
The 154-year-old wooden Pont Briwet Bridge, which crosses the Afon Dwyryd River at Penrhyndeudraeth, closed in January amid safety concerns.
Gwynedd Council last week scrapped plans to install a temporary bridge while work on a new £20m crossing, due to open in 2015, continues. Instead, a convoy system has been put in place to guide traffic on a detour along the A496, between Maentwrog and Llandecwyn.
At Assembly questions yesterday (25 March), the Labour Mid and West AM said local residents are “frustrated” by the continued disruption and uncertainty. She asked:
“I have received many messages from constituents who are facing severe disruption with the closure of Pont Briwet. Now that Gwynedd Council has scrapped plans to install a temporary bridge, and given that the severe disruption that that is causing on the A496 is expected to continue until December, people are understandably frustrated, and would like to have some clarity.
Responding on behalf of the government, Lesley Griffiths AM confirmed that the transport minister would write to Mrs Watson to clarify the plans for the new road and rail crossing.
Following the announcement that the line between Barmouth and Harlech will reopen in May, two weeks ahead of schedule, Mrs Watson went on to praise Network Rail staff, who, she acknowledged, are working “around the clock” to repair Wales’s rail network, following the winter storm and flood damage.