Newtown bypass plans go on show
Revised plans for a £56 million Newtown bypass have gone on show to the public for the first time.
The Welsh Assembly unveiled its new proposed route for the Newtown bypass at an exhibition at the Elephant and Castle in the town yesterday.
People at the exhibition welcomed the plan, saying it was "vital" for the town centre's survival that construction began as soon as possible.
Councillor Gemma Bowker, a town and county councillor for Newtown, said: "I am keeping my fingers crossed that it can go ahead as soon as possible. We need to ensure that work can begin at the earliest opportunity.
"Newtown needs a bypass because the situation can often be ridiculous with queueing traffic."
Carol Jones, 61, a retired secretary, from Garth Owen, added: "It is time something is done. Human nature means we don't like change and there will be upheaval while this work is carried out, but it is something the town drastically needs.
"If we don't have one people will stop coming to Newtown altogether and that will kill the town centre. It is vital."
Howard Jones, from nearby Kerry, said: "This bypass is vital to put an end to the terrible congestion which we have to suffer in the town centre on a daily basis.
"I come into the town from Kerry and the traffic lights only let two cars through at a time. It is bottleneck all the time. We are desperate for this."
Bob Millard, from Newtown, added: "It is really very much needed and I hope work starts as soon as possible."
Unemployed mother-of-one Frankie Reese, 22, from Trehafren, added: "You can be sat in your car for up to an hour to travel one mile if you hit it at a bad time."
The changes to the route are expected to bring savings of about £5 million.
The planned changes will mean there will be an overtaking lane on the entire length of the route.
And the amended route will be further away from the Garth Owen housing estate, reducing the impact on residents.
Following a review, the Welsh Government published a revised preferred route for the road, including changes at four locations to avoid a gas main and reduce the earthworks needed.
