Russell George

Since I was elected in 2008, Lobbying for a Bypass for Newtown has been a priority.

I want to give an update on progress and I have also outlined  my response to the Newtown Transport Study, submitted to The Welsh Assembly Government.

March – Nick Bourne AM, Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Assembly accepted my invitation to come to Newtown last year. I took Nick, by car through Newtown and along Llanidloes road at peak time. He fully accepted a Bypass is urgently needed and backed my campaign.

July – I had an opportunity to talk directly to Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister responsible for Transport, I expressed to him the strong views of the people of Newtown.

September – The Newtown Transport study was published and the Welsh Assembly Government at last committed to a Bypass for Newtown. Some of you may have visited the “Newtown Transport study” at the Monty Club last year, which detailed three choices for a proposed route.

November – All members of the public where able to respond to the consultation. In my own response I made my view clear that the Orange option is by far the best. The Brown option passes through Mochdre industrial estate, and even with adaption’s, would still have too many turning and crossing movements. The Purple route is just too close to residential estates.

I detail below my response to the Newtown Transport Study submitted to The Welsh Assembly Government. As a Newtown member of Powys County Council, I was also involved in the official consultation response from the Council. My own response and that submitted by the Powys County Council are very similar.

Newtown Transport Study

Response to Public Consultation Exhibitions, September 2009

from Cllr Russell George, Newtown Central Ward

1.      I fully support and prefer the proposed Orange route – variant 1 which whilst being the longest option, is considered to be far more effective as a bypass to Newtown. The variant also incorporates appropriate on-line improvements to the existing road network, together with improved cycling, walking facilities and access, which will enhance health and well being and sustainability, and ensure reliable journey times for public transport and residents and visitors to the town.

2.      From an economic and regeneration view point the Orange route – variant 1 provides an effective bypass for through traffic and because of the extended length generally avoids a mix of local and long distance traffic. It will therefore encourage investment in Newtown and the sounding areas,  reducing congestion and delays. The bypass will also improve safety and resilience on the trunk road network and provide reliable journey times.

3.      The Orange route – variant 1 will also greatly improve transport links between the West Midlands and Aberystwyth which is identified as a key settlement of national significance in the Wales Spacial Plan, and will encourage investment, provide employment opportunities and safeguard jobs in Mid Wales.

4.      In fully supporting the by-pass proposals I would emphasis the need to ensure that signing for tourists and visitors to Newtown at the bypass connections with the existing trunk road network should be positive and should encourage drivers to divert into the town for tourist attractions and services. It is therefore imperative that a signing strategy incorporating the bypassed community should be implemented irrespective of the route eventually chosen in order to reduce disbenefit to businesses along the old route due to reduced through traffic.

5.      I would also drew attention to the lack of overtaking opportunities for drivers on trunk roads approaching Newtown, which coupled with the high volumes of traffic and HGVs leads to driver frustration and compromises highway safety. I also have the view that the opportunity to provide overtaking by designing and construction a bypass utilising 2+1 traffic lanes should not be discounted because of additional cost and land acquisition. It is considered that the costs associated with fatal and serious incidents on the surrounding road networks more than cover any additional cost of providing safe, well signed overtaking facilities.

6.      In supporting Orange route – variant 1, it would be worthwhile connecting the Mochdre Industrial estate road via an underbridge to the existing A483, between the junction of the A483 and middle Dolfor road, and the proposed lower Dolfor road underbridge. The formation of a roundabout at this location would cater for the four road connections and would remove the existing severe bend on the A483 near the property known as Ashbrook.

7.      Flooding of properties and streets in Newtown from the large open and culverted watercourse which runs alongside the A483 Dolfor Road has occurred on a number of occasions. The watercourse will be affected by construction of the bypass and I suggest the inclusion of an attenuation pond perhaps in conjunction with a roundabout would significantly reduce the flooding risk and would also cater for drainage for the new roads.

8.      Turning to the alternative routes, I am of the view that the Brown option which passes through Mochdre industrial estate would not provide an effective bypass. The existing road has numerous accesses and junctions and whilst these could be rationalised, too many turning and crossing movements would remain. Given the likely pedestrian usage signal controlled crossings would be necessary together with footways other uncontrolled crossing points in order to link the industrial units. The inclusion of an appropriate speed limit and enforcement would also be required to secure highway safety.  The route would be used by public transport serving the estate and would require public transport stops. All such measures would reduce the effectiveness of the route as a bypass.

9.      I consider that whilst the Purple option follows the line of the original protected route, significant development has take place on land adjoining the route during the intervening period. As a result the proposed route is now too close to residential estates and a school for children with special education needs. It is acknowledged that mitigation measures can be undertaken to reduce noise and light pollution but the proximity of the residential properties to the road means that residents will inevitably experience a reduction in air quality and some degree of noise and vibration. These disbenefits may be exacerbated by regular use of the route by wind farm development traffic over a long period.

10.    It is understood that children attending the school are particularly susceptible to traffic noise and vibrations and as the proposed route utilises part of the school playing field it is unlikely that the social and environmental effects of passing traffic could be mitigated at this location.

11.    I also express concern regarding the proximity of the proposed Purple route to the residential estates in terms of security and safety. The existing green open space is currently used by children as an unofficial play area and whilst the bypass would be securely fenced, there is a possibility that children would risk crossing the high speed road to continue to access play areas. Similarly, unofficial footpaths connect the residential estates with Mochdre industrial estate and it is likely that pedestrians would force additional unauthorised crossing of the bypass route, despite the provision of a footbridge.

12.    I fully support the Variant 1 option irrespective of the route chosen, but I also have an aspiration to see walking and cycling facilities along the whole length of the A483 and A489 in Newtown to link with existing safe routes in the community. This may involve single lane priority working at both Dolfor and Nant Oer railway bridges in order to provide adequate footway/cycleway width. It may also require the widening of footways and shared use along Llanidloes Road, New Road and Pool Road.

13.    With regard to Rail, I fully support any proposals to enhance facilities at the rail station including parking and links with the Traws-Cambria bus service. Also, any improvement in cycling and walking, and public transport links between the existing bus interchange in the centre of Newtown and the train station are welcome.

14.    In conclusion, I believe a Bypass for Newtown is long overdue. I welcome and endorse the proposals and confirm full support for Orange route – variant 1.