Newtown bypass – Construction started Today!
I wanted to share with you the great news that construction started on the Newtown bypass this morning. It has been a long time coming, but I’m delighted that actual construction has now started. The Welsh Government has informed me that works will take two years to complete and I am looking forward to driving on the new bypass in March 2018!
The bypass will be hugely important to the economy of towns such as Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth. It is urgently needed to address congestion issues, improve school safety, improve response times of the emergency services and support tourism and the Mid Wales economy.
The Welsh Government has now purchased Glandulas Holiday Park situated on the A489 on the route out of Newtown towards Llanidloes.
This morning, work started at Glandulas with machinery moving on site and the removal of hedges and other preparation work. Work also started near Black Hall, Dolfor where a works compound has started to be constructed.
You will notice construction boards being erected over the next couple of weeks - which I’m sure will help to convince people that the bypass is becoming reality!
Alun Griffiths Contractors have informed me that details of how local businesses can take part in the building work can be obtained at a ‘meet the buyer’ open day which will be held on 12th April. Please contact Gail Jones on [email protected] for further details about this event.
A full size map is available to view at my office. You can also click on this link to view an interactive drive through of the bypass - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_o0NtpQzpY&feature=player_embedded
The route will begin the Llanidloes side of Glandulas Holiday Park, with a roundabout which will link the bypass with the existing route into town, proceeding along the back of Mochdre Enterprise Park. The bypass will then proceed to another roundabout for the Dolfor road, which will link back into the town. There will be a flyover over the existing Dolfor road and it will then proceed to the right hand side of the town, with another roundabout at the Kerry road junction, which will link both the existing Kerry road and another point of access into the town. It will then proceed behind the Vastre Industrial estate and the Dyffryn Industrial estate with a bridge over the railway line; it will join the existing Pool road past the Wool Board building (Wool Producers of Wales), with a roundabout which will link with another access point into the town from the Welshpool side.
The Welsh Government has also confirmed they will alter the route to preserve a 500 year old oak tree. The Welsh Government has confirmed that there will be a 15 metre exclusion zone around the Brimmon Oak Tree to preserve the ancient tree. I had asked the inspector to consider moving the route to secure the future of the Brimmon oak tree at the public inquiry last summer and made a number of representations to the Minister last year. I am pleased that this issue has now been addressed.
My attention now moves into a new phase of ensuring that construction remains on schedule over the next two years and that disruption is kept to a minimum for commuters. I also want to be supportive to land and home owners who are being affected and do all I can to ensure they are treated with the utmost respect during the construction phase.
I will also increase my focus on ensuring that the Welsh Government promotes Newtown town centre with measures such as correct signage and other means. I have also discussed matters with Powys County Council as they will become responsible for the current road through the town. There will be an opportunity for them to make improvements and indeed receive financial support themselves from the Government to carry out works. The council has agreed that a meaningful consultation will take place and I shall of course make the details of this known in due course.
It has been a long journey to get to this point. I would again like to thank the 10,000 people who signed the petition I organised and those that have supported the campaign. It was back in spring 2011 that a full coach of local people travelled with me to the National Assembly for Wales to formally hand in the petition. The need for a Newtown bypass has been debated since the 1940s and I should like to thank the many people who have played a part in progressing this project over the years.
I hope you find this information helpful. If you would like more information or would like any of the above clarified, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards
Russell George