I am grateful to Councillor Lewington for troubling to respond to my concerns about the lack of action on the Long Bridge, Newtown, which is more than any other councillor bothered to do, but I’m afraid his responses are unconvincing.

I appreciate that major works require additional funding from external sources, and Powys seems to be uncannily successful in obtaining it.

They managed to source a million pounds for the works on the High Street – pretty, but not a priority – and they have just announced spending another million to refurbish the Oriel Gallery.

OTHER NEWS: 

The new pedestrian bridge is near completion and goodness knows at what cost, and you can guarantee it will be underused.

So why, when all this largesse seems to be available, why can they not find £400.000 for an important major project beneficial to everyone in Newtown? The answer: lack of political will.

Councillor Lewington says he cannot make any promises; but that is precisely what councillors did two years ago – promises with no result.

Councillor Lewington does touch on one important point: the bridge needs routine planned maintenance. The gutters have not been unblocked for years, and weeds removed from the parapets only sporadically.

I have not met anyone (and I have asked) who remembers when the bridge was last painted.

This is basic routine maintenance, the money for which should be saved for and included annually in Powys County Council’s budget. This omission is sloppy and results in the long-term neglect of this historic structure.

The council should review every aspect of its planned maintenance programme.

It is what councils are for, and Powys is failing badly.
Eric Flounders