3. Will the Minister provide an update on road improvement schemes in Montgomeryshire? OQ55811

Yes, of course. Proposed pinch-point schemes in Montgomeryshire are progressing towards public consultation. We have now agreed a revised construction programme for the Dyfi bridge scheme, and I'll make an announcement on the start of work shortly.

Thank you for that, Minister. So, I did put a written question in on this last week and you did provide me with an answer, so it would be good to know when you expect to make that revised consultation programme public in terms of—. There has been some delay on the Dyfi bridge due to the pandemic, so it would be good to know when we can expect to see further progress in that regard.

And if I could also raise with you questions around the A470 trunk road at Caersws. There were traffic signals placed on the bridge—the listed bridge—in Caersws over the weekend, and I understand that's due to structural problems with the bridge, which have recently been reported. So, perhaps you could update us on what those concerns are and when potential works could take place and, ultimately, when those traffic signals could be removed. In regards to that bridge, you will recall that we met on that bridge some years ago in regards to concerns of pedestrians crossing, and the Welsh Government is taking forward a proposal for a stand-alone bridge. In my view, it would be better to have a bridge located right next to the existing bridge, but there were problems with Cadw at the time in taking that approach, but maybe this existing problem and the new bridge could now be a project that links together. So, perhaps that needs to be re-examined.

And then just a few yards away up the road there are the proposals for a roundabout at the A470 junction—

Can you bring your question to a close? You've had a good bite of this cherry this afternoon.

So, at that roundabout, we're waiting for a further consultation to take place as well, so perhaps you could update us on that as well.

I think the number of schemes that the Member has pointed to demonstrates how keen we are to invest in the Member's constituency—[Laughter.]—and how keen we are to progress those schemes at maximum pace.

With regard to the new Dyfi bridge scheme on the A487, obviously, COVID-19 has had an impact, in terms of our ability to consult with the community, but my officials have been working closely with Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Limited to agree and finalise a revised construction programme. I'll be making, as I said, a further announcement on when the construction will start very shortly, but we are incredibly keen to progress that as a matter of urgency, because it could contribute towards the recovery from coronavirus—the economic recovery, that is.

In terms of the other projects, on the A470 Caersws bridge lane restriction the Member is right that there have been concerns about the condition of the bridge, specifically the condition of the three arch masonry points that we are looking at as a matter of urgency. We've got further analysis of the structure being commissioned as a matter of urgency, and the work, once completed, will inform the need for any further safety measures and works.

The Member is right that the footbridge proposal is progressing. Welsh transport appraisal guidance stage 2 has progressed in order to provide enough information on a preferred option for public consultation. Once the outline details of the crossing have been finalised, which is expected to take until the end of this year, we'll be in a position to consult with the public. I can inform the Member that, obviously, landowners have been approached and their comments are going to be taken into account wherever applicable. Once I've got the results of the public consultation, I'll be able to consider the next steps, and an announcement will be made at that time with an indication of the programme, going forward.

Then, in terms of the roundabout as well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to write to the Member regarding the latest on the WelTAG stage 2 programme of works for the A470 Caersws roundabout.