CEREDIGION County Council have pledged to clear mounting debris beneath Llechryd Bridge following concerns that the build-up could trigger a major flooding incident similar to the chaos caused by Storm Dennis in 2020, the Tivy-Side has learnt.

And, in a strongly-worded statement, County Hall have accused environmental watchdogs Natural Resources Wales of a ‘failure’ to ensure the removal of logs and trees from the Grade II-listed monument which was completely submerged by floodwaters two years ago.

“Ceredigion County Council are disappointed at NRW’s failure to fulfil their responsibilities in reducing the flood risk along the Teifi by arranging the removal of (debris) and also failing to remind landowners along the river’s edge of their responsibilities to maintain trees and hedges,” the statement ran.

“Given NRW’s inactivity and the implications it is having on Llechryd Bridge and the increased flooding risk to the village the council have employed a contractor to undertake the work and will be looking to when the necessary approval from NRW can be granted in order to allow such work to be undertaken as soon as possible.”

The news will come as a relief to those living close to the river who have been hit by a series of floods in recent years.

Back in June, local builder Guy Croft reported that a couple of large trees and pile of driftwood was almost completely blocking the centre arch of the bridge.

“At the moment the river is at lowest it’s been for many years - you could almost walk across it in a pair of wellies,” he said.

“Why on earth isn’t anything being done about removing these trees now while it is possible to get to them with machinery and chainsaws?

“Or are we going to wait until the river is in flood again and the trees cause a major obstruction resulting in flooding and possible structural damage to the bridge itself, resulting in its closure and a major engineering project to undertake necessary repairs?”

Welcoming the move, local county councillor Amanda Edwards said the need to protect residents from further flooding was ‘paramount’.

“We do not want them having to face the backlash of more flooding,” she told the Tivy-Side. “If this work is carried then the risk to properties will obviously be lesser."

A spokesperson for NRW said: "We are aware of the material build-up at Llechryd Bridge on the River Teifi and we are working with Ceredigion County Council on the matter.

"NRW officers have regularly removed material from Llechryd Bridge in the past and aim to do so again towards autumn."