Dyfi Bridge
{{Short description|Bridge in Wales}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox bridge
| name = Dyfi Bridge
| native_name = {{langx|cy|Pont ar Ddyfi}}
| native_name_lang = cy
| image = Machynlleth - panoramio (1).jpg
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| caption = West side of the bridge
| coordinates = {{coord|52.6005|-3.8557|type:landmark_region:GB-WLS|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference = SH744019
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| carries = {{UK NCN route|82}}
Wales Coast Path
| crosses = River Dyfi
| locale = Machynlleth
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| heritage = {{ubl|Scheduled monument|Grade II* listed}}
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| length = {{cvt|64|m}}
| width = {{cvt|5.5|m}}
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| number_spans = 5
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| inaugurated = 1681
| rebuilt = 1805
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File:Pont ar Ddyfi - geograph.org.uk - 240512.jpg
The Dyfi Bridge ({{langx|cy|Pont ar Ddyfi}}), also known as the Machynlleth Bridge, Dovey Bridge, Pont Dyfi or Pont ar Dyfi, is a road bridge across the River Dyfi north of Machynlleth, Powys, Wales. It is described as "one of the finest bridges in Montgomeryshire" by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust.{{cite web|url=https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GAT5114&dbname=gat&tbname=core |title=Pont ar Ddyfi Bridge, Machynlleth |publisher=Gwynedd Archaeological Trust |accessdate=28 August 2017}}
History and description
The bridge was initially a timber bridge, built in 1533 using £6 13s 4d (10 marks) given by London merchant Geoffry Hughes. It was rebuilt in stone in 1681 and rebuilt again in 1805.{{Coflein|num=24236 |desc=Machynlleth Bridge; Pont ar Ddyfi |accessdate=28 August 2017}} The bridge is a scheduled monument and received a Grade II* heritage listing in 1952.{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300008506-pont-ar-dyfi-partly-in-corris-community-machynlleth |title=Pont-ar-Dyfi (Partly in Corris community) |publisher=British Listed Buildings |accessdate=28 August 2017}}
The bridge carried the A487 road across the River Dyfi between Machynlleth (Montgomeryshire/Powys) and the Corris community (Merionethshire/Gwynedd) prior to the opening of the New Dyfi Bridge upstream, after which it was closed off to vehicular traffic and the access road on the south side downgraded to an unclassified route, serving the adjacent fields, with responsibility for maintenance transferred to the local authorities. The bridge has five arches, with the two arches at the Machynlleth end reinforced with modern steelwork. It is {{convert|5.5|metre}} wide and {{convert|64|metre}} long.
New bridge
In 2011 a report was drawn up recommending the bridge was replaced or widened because of its strategic importance, as it had unsafe low parapets and a lack of footways, and had been repeatedly damaged by motor vehicles because of its poor sightlines. The recommendations were dismissed in favour of looking at options for a new bridge at a different location.{{cite web|url=http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/documents/s4862/PET4-03-12%20p7b%20Correspondence%20from%20the%20Minister%20for%20Local%20Government%20and%20Communities.pdf |title=A487 Fishguard to Bangor Trunk Road: Pont Ar Dyfi Improvement Machynlleth |publisher=Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency |date=February 2011 |accessdate=28 August 2017}}
On 19 May 2017 the Welsh government published a statement that a new bridge would be constructed about 500 m upstream from the current bridge. Work was scheduled to start near the end of 2018 and the completion of the bridge (being ready for traffic) was envisaged in the summer of 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://gov.wales/a487-new-dyfi-bridge|title=A487: new Dyfi bridge|website=GOV.WALES|accessdate=3 February 2020}} The start date was subsequently delayed till at least 2019, with a public enquiry possibly required depending on the results of consultation.{{cite news |author=Antony Gedge |url=http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=123218&headline=Concern%20at%20%27delays%27%20to%20new%20Dyfi%20Bridge%20scheme§ionIs=news&searchyear=2018 |title=Concern at 'delays' to new Dyfi Bridge scheme |work=Cambrian News |date=8 August 2018 |accessdate=30 September 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On 13 January 2020 the Welsh government announced that there would be no public enquiry, and construction would start in the summer of 2020 with estimated completion in summer 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-51088804|title=£46m Dyfi bridge replacement given go-ahead|date=13 January 2020|accessdate=3 February 2020|publisher=BBC}} Construction started in spring 2021 and the new bridge, named New Dyfi Bridge ({{langx|cy|Pont Dyfi Newydd}}), was opened on 2nd February 2024 by Welsh Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters MS to vehicle traffic and pedestrians.{{cite web |title=A487: new Dyfi Bridge (overview) |url=https://gov.wales/a487-new-dyfi-bridge-overview |website=Welsh Government |access-date=23 May 2021}}{{cite news |title=Dyfi bridge: New road opens tackling long diversion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68166464 |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=BBC News |date=2 February 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|Pont ar Dyfi|Dyfi Bridge}}
Category:Bridges completed in 1805
Category:Grade II* listed bridges in Wales