I READ that Councillor David Selby, who represents a Newtown ward on Powys County Council and who holds the Economic Development portfolio, alleges that it will cost £400,000 to repair and repaint the Long Bridge.

In his handwringing exercise, he says this would wipe out the entire North Powys Budget.

He does not tell us where this figure comes from. Is it his best guesstimate, the best guesstimate of a council officer or is it based on comparative estimates from interested suppliers?

Regardless, compared with the almost £1million spent on raising the pavement and planting flowers in the High Street (plants which may soon go the same way as those in Severn Square and the Crescent roundabout) this seems to represent value for money if it rescues the Long Bridge from years of neglect and decline. The Council seems to have perverse priorities.

OTHER NEWS:

The fact is that the work will have to be done some time, and the longer it is left the more expensive it will be.

The Long Bridge is one of the most significant and remarkable structures in Newtown. It needs to be rescued urgently from dereliction. Even a commitment to set aside funds in the annual budget to at least undertake proper annual maintenance - apparently non existent at present to judge by the blocked gutters and rampant weed growth - would be a start. Then a proper refurbishment before the bridge reaches its 200th anniversary in 2026. There is time to start setting aside the necessary funds now.

So, councillors should stop hand wringing and wailing, readjust their priorities and concentrate on issues that matter.

Eric Flounders

Newtown