A BRIDGE which spans the river Wye is going to be upgraded to bring it up to a "satisfactory condition".

Work to improve Hay Bridge, which spans the river Wye near the Herefordshire-Powys border, would start by the beginning of September, according to the town's councillor Gareth Ratcliffe.

He said Powys County Council said phase one of the scheme should be underway within weeks, and one the concrete was in a "satisfactory condition" new parapets could be put in place.

Timescales were yet to be confirmed, the council said, but it hoped this would be done by the end of October.

Addressing the issue of the condition of some of the parapet railings, the council said it had arranged for temporary fencing to be put up as an "added safety precaution".

Coun Ratcliffe, a member of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "You will see works starting soon.

"I have worked with the town council to get this upgraded for some years now so to finally get a start day is encouraging."