Russell George, the Assembly Member Montgomeryshire, who has been campaigning for a Newtown bypass for many years, welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement. Mr George had previously led a campaign and organised a petition calling for a bypass which gained over 10,000 signatures.
In a statement, the Minister for the Economy and Transport, Edwina Hart AM, confirmed that the Welsh Government’s preferred route for the Newtown bypass would proceed after having considered the findings of the Public Inquiry.
The Minister said that the planning inspector concluded that the proposed route should proceed with the possibility of work starting before the end of this year.
Mr George said:
“There has been a call for a Newtown bypass for decades and I’m delighted that it will now finally become a reality and that physical construction work will begin in December.
“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.
“In my discussions with Alun Griffiths contractors, they have confirmed that construction work on the bypass will begin in December and that it will take two years to build. The Minister, Edwina Hart AM, has also told me the bypass will be completed by the end of 2017. I have also discussed the need for Alun Griffiths contractors to use local businesses and they have confirmed that this is their intention.”
“As Christmas approaches, people should see work beginning especially around the Penstrowed end of the scheme. Construction boards will be installed along the route with a works depot being sited near to Black Hall, Dolfor Road.
“My campaign will now move 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 consultation phase.”
MP Glyn Davies added:
“This is great news for Newtown and Montgomeryshire. The Newtown Bypass scheme will be hugely important to the economy of Mid Wales. Newtown is situated on the very important north to south and east to west corridors of the A483 and A489 so this bypass will be of vital strategic importance.”
During the public inquiry over the summer, Mr George also asked the Inspector to consider a number of small amendments to the scheme to avoid key sites and reduce disruption to land owners.