Newtown roads revamp wins council approval
A series of measures designed to put an end to traffic misery in Newtown while residents wait for a bypass to be built have been given the green light.
Powys County Council's Montgomeryshire Committee signed off two major changes to Newtown's road system, while also launching a review of parking measures at a meeting yesterday.
The first of the changes will see an extension of a left-turning filter lane on Cambrian Way which would allow traffic to feed into the Kerry Road junction at a faster rate. Park Street will become a vehicle-free zone with the exception of emergency services, in a bid to ease congestion in the town centre and on the A483.
A review of parking changes will be launched in the town by the county council.
A residents' survey will be held to find out what changes motorists feel are necessary in the town. Councillor Joy Jones, county councillor for Newtown, said the changes were needed as a matter or urgency.
She said: "It won't solve the problems in but it is much needed improvements and people are coming up to me all the time saying that these measures are most welcome.
"The way the town's roads are at the moment is unacceptable, but this will hopefully ease the pain."
Tony Caine, the council's road safety and traffic systems manager, said: "The Welsh Government held stakeholders' meetings in Newtown. From these, an improvement to the signalled controlled junction at Kerry Road was highlighted which would lessen congestion on Cambrian Way.
"It is proposed extend the left filter lane on Cambrian Way by widening the road on the McDonald's side. The signals will then be reconfigured to permit a left turn filter out of Cambrian Way while the right turn filter operates on the A483 for right turners from the Welshpool direction.
"The queuing of vehicles wishing to join the A483 from Park Street causes tail backs which lead to a gridlock situation on Park Lane especially during the closing time of the schools located in that area. Dyfed-Powys Police is along Park Lane and during these congested periods they are prevented from responding quickly to emergencies.
"It is proposed to ban traffic from Park Street from entering onto the A483 and alter the traffic island to deter right turning vehicles from New Road from turning into Park Street."
