Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, has asked the Minister for Local Government and Communities to engage in dialogue with UK Government ministers and the Department for Transport regarding the future of the A438 Llanymynech to Pant Bypass.
Mr George, a member of the Assembly’s Petitions Committee that is examining a petition by local campaigners who want the Welsh Government to start open discussions about the bypass, said that as this was a cross-border infrastructure project, it was vital that ministers and officials from both governments start the engagement process so that meaningful discussions could take place.
The AM also praised local campaigners for all their hard work in compiling and collating evidence to support the call for a bypass around the two villages.
Commenting, Mr George said:
"This whole campaign has been driven by a dedicated group of local people who want to start an open and frank discussion about the need for a bypass between Llanymynech and Pant.
"Throughout November, they have been collecting a range of information from noise level recordings through to road safety incidents in order to justify their position.
"However, they need governments on both sides of the border to not only listen to what they have to say but to also engage with each other to drive the process forward.
"Members of the Petitions Committee have received indications from both the Welsh Government and the UK Government that they are willing to discuss the future potential of the bypass further but at this stage, we are unsure whether that dialogue has started.
"We don’t want to be in a position in several months time where a stand-off has occurred because one government is waiting on the other to make the first move.
"Therefore, I have recommended that the Committee write to the Welsh minister with responsibility, Mr Carl Sargeant AM, asking him if he and his officials will start the engagement process."