Improving Mid Wales Transport
Updated: January 2025
Since I was elected to the Welsh Parliament, I have been campaigning for better transport infrastructure for Montgomeryshire. Good transport connections are key to improving the local economy which is why I actively campaigned for the Newtown bypass and a new Dyfi Bridge at Machynlleth.
It is reported that sadly Powys has one of the highest road accident rates leading to someone being killed or seriously injured on our roads per 100,000 population and I continue to campaign for other road improvement and safety schemes.
Road Improvements at A458 Middletown
There have sadly been several accidents on the A458 Welshpool to Shrewsbury road, including fatal accidents. This road needs to be made safer, and I believe there is a need for a scheme for this route.
This is an issue I have taken up with the Welsh Government Minister and with local Police regarding this stretch of road. I have met with Welsh Government Highways officials along with key representatives on site to discuss safety improvements. In an update at the end of 2024, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates MS informed me that the Welsh Government had renewed road markings including the no overtaking double white lines on the A458 near Middletown, in direct response to concerns raised by myself and residents. However, there are calls for no overtaking double lines to be extended further towards Middletown. The Welsh Government also confirmed that officials are conducting an investigative study, including the use of CCTV, to determine if further measures are necessary to enhance road safety in this area. I am expecting further updates in the early part of 2025. My own view is that further measures are needed, and I will continue to work with Cllr Amanda Jenner, who has brought forward a petition for safety works to be carried out.
Pant–Llanymynech Bypass
The campaign for a Pant-Llanymynech bypass remains an important road improvement and safety scheme. The previous UK Government and the Welsh Government gave commitments to progressing the Pant/Llanymynech bypass. Highways England have been leading on the project development in consultation with Welsh Government transport officials. I have met with the then relevant UK Government Minister in Llanymynech. A bypass study had been commissioned. In a response in November (2024) I received an update. The UK Government is considering four options from the study for inclusion in their Roads Investment Strategy for the delivery of new road schemes from April 2025 – March 2030. My hope is that the new UK Government will stand by earlier commitment to build a bypass and I continue to raise the scheme in the Senedd with the Cabinet Secretary on a regular basis.
Schemes at Caersws
There are other smaller road schemes proposed to resolve traffic flow and safety concerns including at Moat Lane crossing near Caersws with a proposed roundabout replacing the current junction. Also in Caersws, along with County Councillor Les George and others, I have been promoting a new footbridge over the river. The current bridge is dangerous for pedestrians crossing. Work to progress this scheme has been very slow and has been hampered along with other smaller projects due to Welsh Government putting a hold on the building of all new schemes, subject to their review. Welsh Government has confirmed that proposals are currently being developed by Powys County Council for a new footbridge as part of UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. I have been pressing for details to come forward on these proposals but information to date has been very vague and there is a reluctance to share the detail. I continue to exert pressure for the information to come forward and to share with the local community.
I have also raised the safety of the pedestrian crossing by the crossroads with the Minister. A safety assessment of the pedestrian crossing has been undertaken but sadly Welsh Government’s view is to keep the crossing as it is and make some small improvements to the visibility of the crossing.
I have pressed various Ministers responsible on schemes at Caersws. A previous First Minister Mark Drakeford MS confirmed to me that the Moat Lane junction scheme will continue to develop, and that some of the more recent recommendations that include additional safety and active travel elements will need to be planned into the project, he did further point out that like all schemes, it inevitably has to meet the same tests as any other road scheme, and then of affordability. In an update in Autumn (2024) from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, it was confirmed to me that Welsh Government officials are considering improvements to the junction layout and the road section leading to the river bridge where a tie in with the Powys County Council proposal to provide a separate footbridge over the river may be required. Subject to a preferred road improvement option a detailed design will follow and work could possibly commence in 2026/2027.
A483 between Abermule and Garthmyl
The section of the A483 along the canal has been restricted to a 30mph limit for some time due to a weak verge. In my view the restriction has been in place for far too long and I have been raising the need for repair works to strengthen the verge and the removal of the temporary restriction. In a response I received in December (2024) from the Welsh Government, they confirmed that the detailed design for the repairs has been completed and work is planned to start on site now this month (January 2025)
A44 Llangurig to Aberystwyth
I have been calling for safety improvements along this route for many years which has one of the worst accident records in the UK. Welsh Government have at last recognised the need for improvements due to issues such as road safety, junction efficiency and the overall condition of the road. The Cabinet Secretary for Transport has confirmed to me in late 2024 that the Welsh Government are developing a road safety solution for the A44 and will have more information on this during the Summer this year. I will continue to work to make sure Ministers see improving this stretch of road as a priority.
Road Collapse at Talerddig
I have been raising the need for repair works to be carried out on the Trunk Road at Talerddig for some time. Following the road collapse in 2023, I raised this with the Minister to carry out urgent repairs to reopen the road and to prioritise a permanent repair to the retaining wall. This work was programmed to commence in October last year but was rescheduled due to the train collision at Talerddig and the investigation which followed the collision. Work is now programmed to commence this month (January 2025). I will keep the pressure on Welsh Government to prioritise the permanent repairs needed to allow the road to be opened fully to two-way traffic. I have also taken up further road safety issues at Talerddig following accidents near the junction to the Bont Dolgadfan road and by Tyrpeg. I have long called for a reduction in the speed limit at this location and for additional warning signs to address the dangers of the layout of the road. I will keep the pressure on Welsh Government to install road safety measures at this location.
A better Rail Service
Sadly, the rail service we receive in Montgomeryshire continues to be poor with trains regularly being cancelled, delayed, or overcrowded. I have been continually raising concerns about the performance of Transport for Wales on the Cambrian Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury line and have been seeking assurances over commitments made by Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government.
A new fleet of trains is being built for the Cambrian Line to run on the unique signalling system. Unfortunately there have been delays, and I am told this is due to problems with the supply of components compatible with the signalling system. During a meeting I had with the CEO of Transport for Wales, I was told that disappointingly the new rolling stock (train carriages) on the Cambrian Line had been delayed yet again. I was originally told the new stock would be coming online towards the end of 2023, that was delayed until Winter 2024 and I have been told because of delays with the supply of the carriages to TfW the new stock will not be available until the latter part of this year (2025). This is very disappointing when the new stock is already being used on the lines in other parts of Wales. I am assured these trains will deliver increased capacity for passengers and will also run with faster acceleration, allowing services to meet the timetable more reliably. I continue to raise the frustration of this poor service and seek assurances that the new trains will indeed deliver a better service for us locally and I will continue to press upon Transport for Wales to introduce these new trains as soon as they possibly can.
Since the train collision in Talerddig it is frustrating there has been an increase in overcrowding, delayed trains, and ongoing train cancellations. I continue to raise these issues with Transport for Wales and have also raised in the Senedd Chamber with the new First Minister. I have also raised the maintenance issues regarding the bridge across the railway line at Welshpool and the responsibility for it, including keeping the bridge clear of litter and gritting it in the winter months. In a response I have received from the Cabinet Secretary on this, Welsh Government is responsible for the majority of the bridge while the ramp down to the platform is an asset of Network Rail, subject to the ongoing completion of an Asset Protection Agreement.
On a more positive note, I was pleased to visit Newtown Station to see first-hand the accessibility improvements being carried out by Network Rail, as part of the Department for Transport funded Access for All programme. The improvements include a new footbridge over the railway with lifts to access both sides of the platform, improved lighting, CCTV and a PA upgrade for train announcements at the station. This is of great benefit to disabled users and those with mobility issues, along with those with who have prams and pushchairs needing to access both platforms one and two.