Newtown’s proposed multi-million pound bypass will help bring an end to traffic snarl-ups such as the congestion which has brought the town to a standstill this week, Welsh Assembly bosses have vowed.

The bypass will also bring other benefits, project director Mike Gilbert told the first day of a public consultation.

Motorists currently face long delays while one lane of Pool Road is closed to allow work at the new Tesco supermarket site to be carried out.

Mr Gilbert, speaking at the consultation exercise at the Monty Club in Newtown, said: “This is about helping take traffic out of Newtown town centre and easing congestion.

“One third of traffic in Newtown is through traffic.

“Traders will not lose business because these motorists will not be stopping but driving through the town anyway.

“The bypass will open up the town again and allow it to be the market town it once was.”

Richard Goddard, from consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff, said: “A bypass would no doubt ease the sort of congestion there has been in the town this week.

“It will improve how people live and work in the town and let the town traffic move more efficiently.”

Three main options are up for consultation with the cost of the bypass ranging from £43 million to £51 million.

Members of the public are being asked to give their opinion on which option they prefer.

As well as the bypass, which is set to skirt around the south of the town, the community is also being asked if they want further road improvements within the town itself.

A budget of £3 million is available for that work which could include new roads in the town, pavements being improved and cycleways being developed.

The public consultation runs until 8pm today and tomorrow from 10am until noon.

Once the public gives its opinion, the views and opinions of local authorities in the area will be considered by the Welsh Assembly.

The final decision may go to public inquiry and it is hoped work will start in 2013 and be completed by 2016.