Council demand £42million for bridge

11:07am Wednesday 10th October 2007

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Pembrokeshire County Council would demand a payment of more than £42million if the Welsh Assembly was to take over responsibility for the Cleddau Bridge.

The staggering figure - which the council says is to cover £3m of outstanding debt and £39m of "accumulated deficit" - is on a list of requirements drawn up by county hall.

Others include: * Total removal of all tolls with an "absolute guarantee that they will not be re-imposed"; * The continued repair and maintenance of the Cleddau and Westfield Pill bridges at an estimated cost of £1.3m per year; and, * An on-going commitment to improve the Trunk Road network across Pembrokeshire.

The council cabinet discussed the issue on Monday following a notice of motion from Johnston member Cllr Ken Rowlands.

Environment and transportation member Cllr Jamie Adams said: "The Cleddau Bridge has become a political football and this has now extended to the Welsh Assembly. It is astonishing that this authority is criticised about its management of the bridge because we have managed it on a sound structural footing and in a prudent financial manner. It all comes back to lack of investment in the highway infrastructure in both the county and trunk road networks since 1996."

Leader John Davies added: "It is a concern to all of us that we have fared very badly as far as a share of the transport budget is concerned. This does not instil you with confidence in the commitment of Cardiff with regard to Pembrokeshire. The First Minister has said he will look at the bridge issue, but they would have to consider the financial implications."

o Last week, answering a question on the future of the Cleddau Bridge from Western Telegraph reader Andrew Lye, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "Discussions are to take place in mid-October. Consideration will then be given to this option of the Assembly taking over responsibility which will be subject to the views of the council, financial considerations and the conclusion of statutory procedures."

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