An application to carry out works on the Lake Vyrnwy Dam, one of Powys’ most famous landmarks has been submitted to the county council.

Plans to replace the stairs and refurbish the landing platforms of the Grade I-listed dam have been submitted to Powys County Council by Hafren Dyfrdwy.

Works on the landmark would be within the towers, as an inspection revealed levels of corrosion on the steel landing plates that require work as it is “important” to maintain access to the dam.

In its application, Hafred Dyfrdwy said: “The proposed works included within this application for listed building consent comprise the replacement of the stairs and refurbishment of the landing platforms within the Vyrnwy Dam towers.

“The works have been identified as a requirement following an inspection by a structural engineer. It has been identified that the paint work on the stairway structure has flaked and bubbled in places and there are areas of possible surface corrosion.

OTHER NEWS:

“In addition, the paint used was lead based which presents a potential health and safety issue. In relation to the steel landing plates, the engineer identified more advanced levels of corrosion which requires refurbishment.

“Overall, it is important that the steel and iron work within the dam is maintained in good condition to ensure safe operational access within the structure.”

The Mid Wales dam, built between 1881 and 1890, is described in the application as “undoubtedly one of the most notable monuments to late-Victorian civil engineering”.

It was opened in 1892 and provided water to the city of Liverpool via an aqueduct 110 km in length overlooking the reservoir.

It is a Grade I listed structure, the highest grade given to buildings of exceptional historical interest, for its national importance of Victorian water engineering and as one of the most impressive examples of industrial architecture in Wales.

Describing the specific works, Hafren Dyfrdwy added: “The proposal is to first remove the ladders and replace them with identical ladders which have been made off-site and painted with non-lead based paint.

“The operations team need to maintain access and therefore replacing the ladders is proposed rather than refurbishing them off-site and then reinstalling.

“The diamond plate floorings between each ladder will also be removed at the same time as the ladders and replaced temporarily with plywood decking to allow continued operational access.

“Once restored these flooring plates will then be reinstalled to replace the temporary plywood.”