Newtown bypass is on time says minister

Work is now into the final stages of the bypass, which has cost more than £80 million and will see congestion issues that have blighted the Newtown area for decades banished.

Many parts of the bypass have already been completed, and last month politician Russell George said that due to the good weather, the bypass could be finished by the end of the year.

However transport minister for Wales Ken Skates stopped short of saying a 2018 finish is possible, but said good progress is being made and the project is on time.

He said: "Good progress has been made on the bypass over recent months and the work programme continues at pace and on schedule.

"The Newtown Bypass is a significant development for the area and a prime example of the Welsh Government’s commitment to investing in Mid Wales.”

Mr George had made the comments following a running event to open a section of the bypass.

He said he believes that it is possible it could be finished by the end of the year.

Last month he said: "I have been impressed with the progress made and it is certainly taking shape," he said.

"With the warm dry weather over the summer it has allowed the contractors to progress earthworks ahead of schedule. Now the weather has cooled down, landscaping and planting is taking place to allow new plants to establish.

"While completion is planned for the early part of next year, I would like to see a big push to open it early and before the end of the year. I believe this is now possible."

Almost every structure has been complete along the route, and the route is now starting to look like a bypass.

Clive Williams, a blogger and photographer in the area has captured images of the new Dolfor bridge, the biggest structure on the route, a number of times, and his latest photographs show the bridge is almost ready to be put to use.