A DATE when Crickhowell Bridge will be closed for essential maintenance has yet to be confirmed say Powys County Council.

Maintenance is due to be carried out on the bridge in two phases with the first phase, which will begin on Monday, September 6, scheduled to take six weeks.

The work during Phase One includes scour protection of the bridge and re-pointing of the structure and will cause no disruption as the bridge will be kept open during this work.

However, a start date for phase two of the maintenance has not been decided as the council is awaiting confirmation from CADW as to whether work can be carried out on the historic bridge.

Although it is anticipated work will start in October.

A Powys County Council spokesman said during phase two, the bridge will be closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm. 

Several residents have contacted local AM Nick Bourne about the disruption the maintenance will cause to the bridge which links Crickhowell and Llangattock.

Nick Bourne, Conservative Leader in the Welsh Assembly said, " I have been approached by several local residents who are concerned about their travel arrangements during this period.

"Upon enquiry I have been informed that the bridge will be open at certain times during this period for pedestrians and also for some vehicles, like school buses, that have made arrangements with the relevant authorities in advance.

 "I hope these arrangements prove sufficient as the round trip between Llangattock and Crickhowell without use of this bridge will add considerable distance to people's journeys.

There is understandable concern, particularly amongst the elderly who require transport, that this will increase taxi costs and put additional pressure on the local dial-a-ride service.

 "I am urging the relevant authorities to ensure that these bridge works are well publicised and also that this is done well in advance of the closure date, so people have ample time to plan their journeys accordingly."  

The council spokesman said Phase One "Of the work is weather dependent but we anticipate it will take six weeks to complete.

"Phase two of the works are yet to be confirmed with Cadw but this is likely to require a four week intermittent road closure to ensure that defective coping stones, replacement lighting and repairs to the parapet wall are carried out safely. The bridge will remain open for pedestrians.

"We anticipate that start of phase two will begin in the middle of October but we will put measures in place to minimise disruption. Further details on phase two will be released later in September."