Welshpool councillors have been left “appalled” after a footbridge in the town was vandalised just months after opening.

At a meeting of Welshpool Town Council, held on Wednesday, November 27, councillors were told that the footbridge over the canal on Berriew Street was damaged by “vandalism”.

Cllr Nick Howells told the council that wooden slats on the bridge had been pulled up, but assured them that the damage had already been repaired with some spare parts.

He said: “I’m afraid I have to share some very sad news with the council as the footbridge over the canal, known as Potter’s bridge, has received a minor amount of damage through what looks like vandalism.

“Some of the wooden slate in the bridge have been pulled up. Luckily out operations manager Paul McGrath, being on the ball, assumed this would happen or that we’d need spares at some point so already had them ready which has allowed it to be replaced.

OTHER NEWS:

“We have to pray this doesn’t happen again after all the work we put into it.”

The bridge was replaced over the summer following a lengthy campaign to improve the bridge after it was deemed unsuitable for use by the town council, who were faced with issues raising funds and disputes over ownership of the bridge.

Concerns over the state of the bridge came to the councils attention in June 2023, with broken wooden panels highlighting the lack of maintenance, as well as the accessibility of a bridge that was proving difficult for people with mobility issues.

In July 2024, Welshpool businessman James Potter offered to pay the outstanding amount for the full restoration alongside a £2,500 grant from Powys County Council, with the renovated bridge opening in August.

On the damage, Cllr Phil Pritchard added: “It’s really appalling. I’d want to ask, as we security cameras on other town assets, is there no reason we can’t put a camera in that area to record what happens on that bridge.”

Cllr Phil Owen agreed, saying: “No reason why we shouldn’t do that.”