We’re furious at having to travel an extra seven miles after council refused to fix a broken bridge

RESIDENTS are furious at having to travel an extra seven miles because the council has failed to repair a broken bridge.

Businesses are also suffering and villagers are feeling isolated almost two years on from it being destroyed in floods.

The grade-two listed bridge was used by 1,600 vehicles a day and was cherished by locals in Trefnant and Tremeirchion, Denbighshire.

But it was washed away by Storm Christoph in January 2021. The council has previously vowed to repair it but has been accused of not doing anything to sort it.

Residents are now staging a protest this weekend. Organiser Stuart Irving said the lack of bridge has separated the two communities and accused council officials of a "failure to do anything substantial in terms of replacing it".

Hue told the : "It's had a tremendous impact on the communities.

"It's had a big impact on commercial businesses especially and some have had to close because of the significant decline in business.

"People in Tremeirchion are less likely to travel to Trefnant without the bridge and that's clearly played a part.

"It's really having an impact on people and that's why we're not going to accept the prevarication of Denbighshire Council.

"The longer it's left, the bigger the impact it will have on the two communities and we want something done about it.

"We haven't had anything tangible from the council, no timetable or anything like that.

"There's no clear plan and it's frustrating for the residents who are the ones who are feeling the impact of their inaction.

"We don't want it replaced with a Rolls Royce bridge. All we're asking for is a like-for-like bridge - we just want a bridge to get from one community to another.

"We are clearly angry about the lack of progress but the aim is to have a good-humoured and fun protest with members of the two communities.";

Last November Cllr Brian Jones said he wanted the bridge to be replaced quickly, adding: "It has caused massive disruption to businesses and communities in the area."

Head of highways Tony Ward said at the time that replacing it is a complex matter.

Estimates suggested it could cost up to £7million to replace.

Denbighshire Council has been approached for comment.