March start for £56 million Newtown bypass

The Welsh Assembly said today that work will begin on the Newtown bypass on March 7, bringing joy to campaigners who have fought for the road for 30 years.

The new road will take a significant amount of traffic away from the town centre - including holidaymakers from Shropshire who at the moment are driving through the town as they head to the Welsh coast – easing traffic congestion for residents.

The news was announced by Wales transport minister Edwina Hart and was welcomed by residents and politicians.

Russell George, Montgomeryshire AM and a Newtown county councillor, said residents are likely to witness a "significant" increase in activity as work gets under way.

He said: "I'm delighted that physical construction work on the Newtown bypass will begin on March 7.

"I'm grateful to the minister Edwina Hart who has kept me updated on progress."

He added: "I'm aware that there are plenty of people who don't believe the bypass is going to happen until they see construction work begin.

"People will see plenty of activity at the Llanidloes side of Glandulas Holiday Park in just a couple of weeks, with further activity near to Black Hall, Dolfor Road.

"There has been a call for a Newtown bypass for decades and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in progressing this project."

Last October Mrs Hart announced she had given the go-ahead to the bypass following a public inquiry, which was held over four weeks.

The inquiry heard from dozens of people who said the bypass will take a large amount of traffic away from the town centre, solving the long-running problem of vehicles queueing up to five miles to get into the town.

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies added: "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 and improve safety. I'm delighted that work will begin over the next few weeks."

This follows news earlier this week that the path of the Newtown bypass will be 'bent' to ensure the survival of the 500-year-old Brimmon Oak at Lower Brimmon Farm, which is on the planned route for the bypass.

Nearly 5,000 people signed a petition sent to the Welsh Assembly after original plans showed the bypass would pass within four metres of the tree.

On Tuesday members of the Welsh Assembly's Petitions Committee agreed that it should be saved for future generations, and Mrs Hart confirmed the route would be changed.

The appeal was launched last year after experts said the intended route of the bypass could have signed the oak's death warrant.