Residents Face Years of Isolation as Bridge Funding Falls Short

Newport residents of Forge Mews remain cut off with no vehicular access as the construction of a new bridge to replace the condemned Bassaleg Bridge will not begin before April 2026. Newport City Council revealed that although it secured a £1 million grant from the Welsh Government, this amount falls significantly short of the full funding required to advance to the construction phase of the project. The closure of Bassaleg Bridge since August 2021, due to safety concerns raised by inspectors, has left the 19 homes in Forge Mews isolated, exacerbating daily challenges for residents.
The council had initially estimated the replacement bridge would cost around £9 million and submitted a bid requesting £6.4 million for the current financial year and an additional £2.6 million for the following year. Despite recently receiving nearly £7 million in transport funding from the Welsh Government, only £1 million has been allocated to Bassaleg Bridge, earmarked for ongoing design and survey work rather than construction. This shortfall means that building the new bridge cannot start this financial year, pushing back the timeline and making it unlikely that Forge Mews will regain full vehicular access before 202815.
Residents have voiced deep frustration over the prolonged isolation and lack of clear communication regarding the bridge’s future. Sarah Williams, a Forge Mews resident, expressed her difficulties in selling her home and undertaking renovations due to the absence of vehicle access. She said, “The thing that still gets to me more than anything is the timeframe and not being told when this will end.” Another resident, Lisa Grant, called for a reduction in council tax to compensate for the inconvenience, especially after it emerged that the now-condemned bridge had been inspected only four times in 32 years prior to its closure.
Concerns about safety have been paramount, highlighted by a 2022 incident where emergency services struggled to respond promptly to a house fire on the street. Residents have also reported challenges with parking, mobility, and accessing deliveries, with some vehicles vandalized due to the forced parking across the River Ebbw. Tony Brooks, another resident, described the situation as a “myriad of problems,” noting the difficulties for people with wheelchairs and children who cannot easily transport shopping or access their vehicles. He added that delivery services have been severely restricted, with no home deliveries allowed due to the short time permitted for drop-offs.
The council has acknowledged the complexity of the situation, citing the presence of numerous utility services within and beneath the bridge structure as a significant factor complicating repair efforts. While repair of the existing bridge was deemed unfeasible, the council is working with specialists to explore options for a new structure. However, the lack of full funding and the technical challenges involved have contributed to the extended delay, leaving residents in limbo.
This situation reflects wider infrastructure challenges faced by local authorities in maintaining aging transport assets, with the Bassaleg Bridge case underscoring the impact on community connectivity and emergency response capabilities. The delay in restoring access to Forge Mews highlights the critical need for adequate investment and timely action in infrastructure projects to prevent prolonged isolation and associated risks for residents.