The Welsh Government has officially announced that Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd is to be their preferred contractor for the Newtown Bypass.
After months of Government questioning and public speculation, the news that Alun Griffiths Contractors (AGC) Ltd will lead the construction of the Newtown Bypass has been welcomed by Montgomeryshire politicians, Russell George AM and Glyn Davies MP.
It was also announced that AGC Ltd will be supported on the project by two other companies, Atkins UK will provide engineering expertise and TACP will provide environmental assistance.
AGC will now start the development of the preliminary design phase which the Welsh Government anticipates will take about 15 months to complete. Following the publication of the design, a Local Public Inquiry could be held, depending on the nature of the objections and comments from the public. This will then lead to the construction phase of the project, which it is hoped will start at the end of next year.
Mr George, whose 10,000 strong traffic petition and persistent ministerial lobbying have kept the pressure on the Welsh Government to progress with the project, believes that the contractor now has to proceed without delay to enable the construction phase of the bypass to start on time.
Commenting on the news, Mr George said:
"I’m extremely pleased that the contractor has finally been appointed as these improvements will provide much needed relief to residents and businesses across Mid Wales.
"This new bypass will not only improve journey times but will also help further the economic development of the region.
"While it is a few months later than the Welsh Government initially suggested both the First Minister and the Transport Minister have assured me that there will be no slippage in the project timescales.
"I hope AGC Ltd will waste no time in the next phase of the project and will look to businesses in the region for supplies and labour so that earlier economy benefits are maximised."
Local MP, Glyn Davies also welcomed the announcement. He added:
"I am delighted by this announcement as the construction of the Bypass is a vitally important piece of infrastructure not just for Newtown but for the whole of Wales.
"Newtown is situated on the very important north to south and east to west corridors of the A483 and A489 so this bypass is also of vital strategic importance.
"Residents and business have suffered horrendous traffic problems for many years and this new road will do much to ease those problems."
The Federation of Small Business in Wales has also welcomed the Government’s announcement, particularly given that AGC Ltd and TACP are Welsh-based companies. Regional Development Manager, Dai Davies, hoped that many local businesses will be a position to sub contract their services to AGC Ltd.
Mr Davies said:
"We welcome the news that a contractor for the Newtown Bypass has been appointed and in time the traffic problems which are causing severe problems to businesses and residents alike will be a thing of the past.
"It is encouraging to see that two Welsh companies are part of this successful tender, which will undoubtedly safeguard Welsh jobs and will ensure that a large share of the project’s capital costs will be retained within the Welsh economy.
"I hope other companies in Mid Wales will be in a position to sub-contract their services, so that a sustainable supply chain can be created which will benefit the wider regional economy.
"Whilst appreciating the potential benefits of the new road, every effort must be made to ensure that signage to the town centre is of the highest quality, so that tourists are still encouraged to visit the town."