New River Dee Bridge clears key objection stage, but construction remains conditional

Welsh Government has decided that a Public Local Inquiry is not required for the A494 River Dee Bridge Replacement scheme, allowing the draft Orders to be made with minor modifications. Of five statutory objections received during consultation, the government says three were withdrawn and two remaining objections concern compensation under the Compulsory Purchase Order.

What happens next

The decision is a step in the statutory process, not a start date for construction. Welsh Government says it will publish the decision letter and made Orders, followed by a six-week High Court challenge period during which the documents will be available for inspection. Officials will also continue discussions with affected landowners on compensation.

Scheme outline

The existing A494 bridge deck is in poor structural condition, according to the statement. The proposed replacement would have four lanes and hard shoulders, with improved walking and cycling routes, landscaping and biodiversity features. The government says most construction would take place away from the existing bridge so that the A494 could stay open for most of the work.

Contractor procurement for detailed design and construction was continuing, with appointment planned for the summer. The statement says work could begin in winter 2026–27, subject to completion of the statutory process, and could finish by winter 2029. Those dates are conditional rather than confirmed.