The New Footbridge in Haverfordwest: What Were They Thinking?

The new bridge - The council insists this is about long-term thinking.

If you live in Pembrokeshire, you’ve probably heard a lot about the new footbridge in Haverfordwest.

You might have seen it taking shape near the Riverside Shopping Centre or read about it in the local paper. And like many of us, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Is this really what we needed?” or “How much did this cost?” Because from the average citizen’s point of view, it’s hard to understand how this all came to be.

Is It a Waste of Money?

Let’s start with the price tag. Around £5.7 million. That’s not small change, especially when so many other things in the county need attention — roads full of potholes, public toilets being shut, fewer bus services, struggling high streets and as mentioned in a previous article, a destitute social services department. Yes, we’ve been told most of the funding came from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, not directly from the local budget. But it still begs the question: is this really the best use of that money?

It’s hard to look at a bridge designed for Instagram photos — sleek, modern, and out of place for some — and not feel a bit frustrated. Locals have called it a vanity project, something more focused on appearance than actual need. People who’ve lived in the area for years wonder how this helps with the real issues that matter.

What Was the Council Thinking?

According to the council, this footbridge is part of a bigger plan to regenerate Haverfordwest. They want to make the town more attractive to visitors and easier to navigate. Their idea is that by building something striking and modern, it will breathe new life into the center and encourage investment.

But from the outside looking in, it feels like they’ve put form before function. Did we need a bridge that looks good on social media? Or did we need a practical, affordable structure that serves the community without making headlines for the wrong reasons?

This isn’t the first time people have felt that decisions are made without truly listening to residents. The council insists this is about long-term thinking — but it feels like they’re disconnected from the here and now.

Is It Even Safe?

Another concern that keeps coming up is safety. The old bridge might not have been a looker, but it did the job. The new one? It’s still being finished, and people are understandably cautious. We’ve been told that the structure is being built to modern safety standards, but with delays and hiccups along the way, confidence isn’t exactly high.

Some of us are still wondering: when will it open? Will it last? What happens if the materials used start to show wear sooner than expected? There’s a lot riding on this — quite literally — and we need to know it won’t become a long-term liability.

A Bridge Too Far?

In the end, most people in Pembrokeshire aren’t against change. We want our towns to thrive. We want tourists to visit. We want our children to grow up in places that feel looked after and full of life. But this bridge? It’s hard to feel like it was done for us. It feels like it was done to us.

Maybe time will prove the council right. Maybe it’ll become a symbol of Haverfordwest’s revival. But right now, standing in the middle of a town where services are being cut and high streets are struggling, it’s hard not to wonder: was this really what Pembrokeshire needed? Or was it just another example of money being spent without listening to the people who actually live here?

One thing’s for sure — it’s not just a bridge we’re crossing. It’s a growing gap between decision-makers and the rest of us.