Residents of Forge Mews in Bassaleg, who say they feel like prisoners in their own homes due to a closed bridge, have been dealt a significant setback. Five years after Bassaleg Bridge was shut over safety concerns, funding applications for the next phase of the replacement project have failed, leaving residents in limbo with no clear end in sight.
Bridge closed since August 2021
In August 2021, the bridge connecting Forge Mews to the other side of the Ebbw was closed after inspectors identified safety issues. After extensive deliberation, it was decided a new bridge would be needed, but residents have no idea when construction might begin.
Newport City Council has stated it cannot afford the necessary works and is seeking additional funding. However, bids for regional or national support have been rejected for a third consecutive year.
Funding setbacks
There had been some progress, with the council using £1 million from the Welsh Government last year for design and survey work. But a recent scrutiny committee report revealed that grant applications, which would have allowed the project to proceed to tender, were unsuccessful.
"Previous applications to the Welsh Government's local transport fund and resilient roads fund in 2024 and 2025, and the South East Wales CJC's regional transport programme in 2026, have been unsuccessful," a council spokesperson said. "We have worked hard to ensure that the plans for Bassaleg Bridge remain on the regional transport programme's reserve list and may be considered for future funding, should further opportunities arise."
Council response
The CJC is a partnership between Cardiff and nine nearby local authorities, responsible for funding regional transport projects in a more integrated way. The spokesperson noted that Newport City Council had already funded work on the replacement bridge, including stabilising the structure and carrying out surveys and an options appraisal.
The council's leader, Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, and cabinet member for infrastructure, Cllr Rhian Howells, had visited the local community council "several times" and spoken with Forge Mews residents, the spokesperson said.
"However, the costs of constructing a new bridge are far greater than the resources available to us. We understand that the residents of Forge Mews are frustrated that the bridge remains closed. We are doing everything we can with the resources available to us to resolve this and find the funding that will allow us to move to the next phase of the project."
Residents' struggles
In the meantime, residents at Forge Mews, some of whom are elderly, say many feel housebound because they no longer have easy access to cars, which must be parked a 10-minute walk away. Some also report being unable to sell their homes due to decreased property values caused by the unsafe bridge.
Martin Bekker, 50, who lives on the cul-de-sac, told WalesOnline last month: "Elderly residents have been left housebound and when there are emergencies the fire engines and ambulances can't access our houses. We can't park outside our houses or use our driveways, so we have to park about a 10 minute walk away. Newport City Council said we would all get a free parking permit to use on the residents-only parking over on the road opposite. It's been two and a half years since I applied and I am yet to receive one."
Julie Collins, 61, is worried about emergency access to the street. She said the way they live has brought them together, as they have to help each other. Ms Collins said: "I would always look after a woman who lived across from us, just with little things at first, like helping to fix her TV and getting her some shopping. She had bone cancer and would regularly have to visit hospital. She could hardly walk and the ambulance couldn't get inside to drop her home. Instead the paramedics would have to wheel her in a chair in the pouring rain. It's wrong."
