The Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM, has visited Caersws, at the invitation of local AM, Russell George, to see first-hand the danger of pedestrian access over the bridge.
On 14th November, Mr George invited Mr Skates to join him in Caersws to hear from local residents and campaigners from the Caersws Bridge Action Group about the community opposition to the preferred option of a traffic light system which is seen as impractical and could cause traffic congestion.
Becky Carroll-Lees, a local Caersws resident, who lives near to the bridge summed up the concerns of residents by saying:
“All pedestrians - be it visitors, local residents or football goers - have to risk crossing the bridge and face on-coming traffic including lorries travelling at 30mph often not realising that there’s not enough room on the bridge.
“It’s certainly no place for pedestrians and that includes me and my 9 year old daughter, Chloe, who have to cross the bridge twice a day to get to the school bus.”
Following the meeting with Mr Skates, Russell George added:
“I was pleased that the Minister was able to join me in Caersws to hear from local residents on the need for a stand-alone footbridge. The meeting was constructive and I now have confidence that progress will be made.
“Currently, the bridge is narrow with only just enough room for two cars to pass with care. I’ve heard countless reports of car mirrors being damaged or ripped off and there is certainly no room for a car and a lorry or bus to pass.
“Residents also have to walk over the bridge to access the recreational ground and football pitch and this clearly presents an unacceptable danger for pedestrians.
“I have been a long-time supporter of the community campaign for there to be a standalone footbridge in Caersws which would make the crossing safe for pedestrians.
“Therefore, I was pleased that, after having witnessed first-hand the dangers of crossing the bridge, the Minister was in complete agreement that something has to be done to make the crossing safer for pedestrians.
“While there was widespread opposition to the installation of traffic lights as the preferred option, the Minister has asked whether a short trial could be undertaken which would see the segregation of vehicles and pedestrians using a single traffic lane with footway under permanent traffic signal control.
“I was pleased that the Minister also agreed to liaise with Cadw and Natural Resources Wales regarding the structure of the bridge to determine what structural scope there could be to add a improve pedestrian access to the existing bridge.”