A replacement bridge in Powys is expected to increase fish populations, reduce flooding, and improve road access for locals.

Officers from Powys County Council and Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project have collaborated to replace the dilapidated 1950s pipe bridge near Heol Senni with a new clear-span steel bridge.

The original bridge, supported by concrete pipes on the riverbed, was prone to blockages, restricting fish movement, reducing river biodiversity, and increasing flood risk.

Installed earlier this year by A.V Plant Ltd, the new bridge has been designed to enhance gravel movement along the riverbed.

This process is important in restoring the river's habitat, creating a more natural environment for fish and invertebrates to feed and breed successfully.

The River Senni is part of the River Usk Special Area of Conservation and serves as an important spawning ground for Atlantic salmon.

However, access issues have decreased salmon spawning opportunities in the river's headwaters.

The installation of the clear-span bridge will open up approximately three kilometres of upstream river for breeding salmon, trout, and other important species.

The project has also used 'green engineering' to stabilise the riverbank upstream of the bridge.

Tree roots have been installed into the bank to protect the bridge and reduce erosion.

Trunks of four to five metres in length and 50-60cm in diameter have been laid horizontally and secured with two-metre-long chestnut stakes.

Coir matting has been placed on the top of the trunks and seeded with native vegetation to further control erosion and stabilise the riverbank in the long term.

The bridge after installation (Image: Supplied) Councillor Jackie Charlton, cabinet member for a greener Powys, said: "Working together with NRW on this project has been great.

"We have been able to discuss different elements throughout the feasibility and design stage and develop and deliver a solution which meets the needs of everyone efficiently.

"As well as helping the environment and biodiversity of the river and surrounding land, the local community will also benefit from the new bridge which will reduce the frequency that the road floods and is subsequently closed.

"The new clear-span structure will result in lower maintenance costs due to no longer having to periodically clear the blocked pipes of the original bridge."

Susie Kinghan, Four Rivers for LIFE project manager, said: "Fish make up a huge part of Wales's biodiversity and improving their habitat and ensuring populations are sustainable is a vital part of our work.

"Already this summer, we have found good numbers of juvenile salmon upstream of the new bridge, which is very positive news.

"We are working with partners like Powys County Council to identify similar barriers to fish migration and will use this scheme to show how low-cost solutions like this can work with nature and benefit people at the same time."

This project is a model for future projects seeking to remove barriers to fish migration while benefiting communities.

The aim is to use this scheme as an example of how low-cost solutions can be beneficial to both nature and people.