Welsh Government makes 'ignorant' spelling mistake on sign for new £46m road

Fury has erupted over the use of a now defunct spelling for a village on signs for a new £46m stretch of road. The signs on the newly built Dyfi Bridge feature the long-outdated spelling of Aberdyfi, in Gwynedd, as Aberdovey.

The bridge was opened in February, with deputy minister for climate change, Lee Waters, describing it as “a very visible symbol of the changes we are making and the way roads will be built from now on”. It replaced the 19th century Pont-ar-Ddyfi bridge, which wasn’t designed to handle the current volume of traffic and was often closed due to frequent flooding.

Plaid Cymru Senedd member for Dwfyor Meirionydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor, raised the issue of the sign in plenary, seeking a response from Welsh language minister, Jeremy Miles.

Mr ap Gwynfor later said: “The spelling of Aberdyfi has long been standardised, and the official spelling is set according to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s standardised place name spelling.

“It’s frustrating therefore that the Welsh Government failed to recognise this and used a long defunct spelling, which has infuriated many local residents.”

A landscape picture of a bridge in the winter frost

He added: “There’s nothing nefarious here but likely simple ignorance. What next? Should we expect to find signposts to Caernarvon or Dolgelley?

“The Government needs to ensure that the signs are amended with the correct spelling and learn from what I hope is a misinformed mistake.” The Welsh Language Commissioner has been asked to comment.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are considering this matter and will be discussing further with local authorities.”