I wish to support the Newtown bypass and the existing preferred scheme.
I believe the preferred scheme is the best option for the Newtown bypass and believe this is also the view of the majority of people who live and work in this area of mid Wales. I also understand that the preferred scheme is supported by Powys County Council, County Councillors, Newtown Town Council and Montgomeryshire MP, Glyn Davies.
Four years ago, in my capacity as a Newtown County Councillor, I organised a petition calling for a bypass whereby over 10,000 people signed. I presented the petition to the National Assembly for Wales in March 2010. I also carried out a general survey in Newtown last year. I included a specific question whether people thought the proposed Newtown bypass would improve traffic congestion. The results of this question showed that 86% of respondents’ believe that the Newtown bypass will improve traffic congestion in and around the town.
In support of the current preferred scheme, I would like to make the following points:
I believe the bypass will be hugely important to the economy of towns such as Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth. It is urgently needed to support the Mid Wales economy. There is a high proportion of vehicles including tourists who are currently avoiding the congested town rather than enjoying a refreshing break and to experience what Newtown has to offer.
The scheme will address huge congestion issues not only on the main trunk road through the town but also congestion on Plantation Lane and the Treowen Estate caused by vehicles including articulated lorries in an attempt to avoid the congestion through the town. Large vehicles are having to pass through these housing estates to avoid the low railway bridges on the A483 and A489 roads.
The scheme will improve safety near schools by reducing the number of vehicles, including articulated lorries, using other routes through housing estates including Garthowen and Treowen to avoid congestion and low bridges. There are currently large vehicles and lorries driving through these residential areas where schools are located and this is a huge safety issue.
It will also improve the response times of Emergency Services that are currently caught up and hampered by congestion.
The existing preferred scheme will greatly improve access off the bypass to industrial estates, in particular Mochdre Enterprise Park, offering a much improved infrastructure to support local businesses. Improved access will reduce the travel to work times for commuters and will provide business development opportunities for new and existing businesses to operate from Newtown and the Severn Valley.
I don’t feel that the alternative route put forward by some of the objectors is a viable route which, if chosen, would see a number of commercial units facing demolition, and clearly I’m concerned about businesses and staff who may have to relocate out of the area.
The proposed alternative route by the objectors is similar to an original option that was proposed some years ago, and that was firmly rejected by the wider public.
I have met with a number of people who object to the current route, and in some instances, I believe that those affected have very legitimate concerns. I believe there are alterations which could be made, and these I’m sure will be presented at this inquiry. However, I don’t believe that a route change through the Mochdre Industrial Estate is the answer.
I would also like to bring to the Inspector’s attention the genuine concerns of landowners and homeowners that will be affected by the impact the scheme will have on their lives and homes. I have been contacted by constituents along the proposed bypass route who are deeply concerned and anxious. Whilst I do support the bypass I am also very conscious that those who will be affected are treated with the utmost compassion and consideration for their properties and land. I include the following general points:
Severance of land – farms being “cut up” without currently being provided with the requested/suitable access of a bridge or an underpass. The management of these farms is going to have to drastically change. Some landowners will have a 3 or 4 mile round trips to access their severed land, this is unsatisfactory.
In one area an ancient wildlife pond will be lost, if the proposed route could be changed in order that the pond could be retained, this should be considered. In addition, where ancient oak trees are situated I believe they should be preserved where appropriate.
All fencing used should meet a specific British Standard to ensure safety of farm stock during construction and after scheme completed. Gates should also be provided before and during construction to move stock from farm land which is being used for the scheme.
I’m aware some land owners are of the view that land is unnecessarily being used for planting and screening. Where a land owner affected is of this view, I believe adaptions to the scheme should be made.
Properties may be unnecessarily blighted by the scheme. Some residents’ don’t feel that the Welsh Government has looked at suitable alternatives for the eastern end of the scheme. I understand other options are being considered at the western and Mochdre end of the route but not for the eastern end. Relocating the roundabout on Pool Road further east away from the cluster of houses would reduce the impact of six residential properties being affected in the way they currently are. The extra cost of additional road length could be outweighed by the savings from not purchasing and compensating properties in this area. I would request that consideration is given to this point.
Fair market value offers should be provided to residents of properties that are blighted. Those affected should be able to purchase a similar property to their current property which is blighted.
Many residents will be impacted by the close proximity of the scheme. Some have requested triple glazing windows to reduce the noise and dust during construction and also the road noise and inconvenience the scheme will have on properties close to the bypass when built. The Welsh Government should commit to such requests.
Whilst I would urge the Inspector to address the concerns stated, I would like to reinforce my overall support for the current preferred bypass scheme. Any additional delay to the scheme will continue to have an adverse effect on the mid Wales area. I trust that construction will start later this year.