WORK to upgrade a bridge which spans the river Wye to bring it to a "satisfactory condition" will begin next week, a councillor has said.

Hay Bridge, which spans the river near the Herefordshire-Powys border, would not close during the upgrade, the town's councillor Gareth Ratcliffe said.

Coun Ratcliffe, a member of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said that he had been briefed on the next stage of works to the bridge.

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He said it was "disappointing" that the design had been changed due to the bridge's strength, but the officers listening to the town council's proposal on how to make the entrance to Hay-on-Wye more appealing.

Coun Ratcliffe said that work will start next week for up to three days, and traffic control would be in place.

"The second phase will start in November when they start the insolation," he said.

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"They are looking to do it in 30-metre sections and there will be a canopy to protect the river.

"They are looking to keep the bridge open and are working on a traffic management plan."

Some of the parapet railings were in poor condition, with safety fencing going up along the bridge – one of the main routes into the town – in August.