Welsh Assembly expert to look at Newtown traffic trouble

Newtown's continuing traffic chaos is to be looked at by a Welsh Assembly roads expert, it was revealed by a businessman and campaigner today.

Traffic jams on the main route through the town have been a constant problem for people since a new traffic light system was installed more than 12 months ago when Newtown's new branch of Tesco opened for business.

Councillors, traders and residents who had been battling for years to try and persuade the Assembly to give priority to a bypass for the town, say matters have got much worse since the new system was installed.

And queues have got worse still with the closure of the canal bridge at Aberbechan, on the side route to Bettws Cedewain and the north side of Newtown and used by many locals as a way round the hold-ups.

Local businessman and campaigner Wyn Williams is one of those who has been pushing the Welsh Assembly Government to sort out Newtown's traffic chaos.

He said today he was due to meet with Andy Cochran from the Assembly Highways Directorate on January 20 to discuss the current traffic problems in Newtown, including the closure of the Aberbechan bridge.

He said that following on from a survey he carried out last year with more than 300 local businesses, he had been in correspondence with Mr Cochran.

Mr Williams said: "Mr Cochran has told me that 'the signal system is generally working well' and that 'extensive queuing can occur at peak times, but this has always been the case'."

But Mr Williams added: "I cannot understand how the Assembly can continue to argue that congestion in Newtown is no worse than it was before the new lighting system was installed."