Bypass will deliver real boost to region, says First Minister Carwyn Jones

It has been more than two year since construction began on the project, and it's still on target to finish in early 2019.

Mr Jones visited the site to see the work yesterday evening, and while he said the scale of the work had took him by surprise, he was pleased with the progress.

He said: “I’ve been really pleased to see the progress being made on the Newtown Bypass. This is a significant development which will improve safety, relieve traffic congestion and ensure better access to jobs and services, delivering a real boost to the local economy.

“A strong emphasis has been placed on providing local employment and training opportunities and there are currently 16 apprentices and graduate trainees working on the bypass which is really good news.

“We have also worked closely with Powys County Council to develop Active Travel provisions which have been included as part of the scheme.

“The Newtown bypass is a great example of the Welsh Government’s commitment to invest in our transport infrastructure, help industry grow and deliver for communities in Mid Wales.”

During the tour, Mr Jones was shown the progress on the bypass, as well as the route used by diggers to clear the site.

"It's a much bigger project than expected," he said. "The route that the bypass has taken means there's a lot of bridges, and a lot of earth that needs to be moved.

"The route is also a bit higher up than I expected – there's a good view of the town.

"It's going to make such a big difference to journey times, to traffic in Newtown, and to air quality as well."

He said the bypass would not have any have a detrimental effect on Newtown itself.

"Through traffic tends to try and get through Newtown as quick as possible," he said. "If Newtown's clear people will try and get through it rather than staying. Local traffic will still be there and people who want to go to Newtown will still go there.

"I don't see there being a detrimental effect on the town.

"It's important to advertise it as a place to stop because people want to have a rest when they're driving. Now people know Newtown will be easier to get in and out of, it makes it more attractive I'd argue. It's important that Powys and the Town Council here put up a few brown signs so that people understand the heritage here. There's so much in Newtown to offer to people."

As part of the development, the bridge across the Dolfor Valley was recently built. Completed in April, it was one of the milestones of construction, allowing workers to easily get across the valley. The bridge will now allow the remaining earthwork operations to take place.

The bypass to the south of Newtown will be approximately 6.5km long and extends from the A489 Llanidloes Road near Glandulas Holiday Park west of the town to the A483 Pool Road to its east.

It is hoped the scheme will improve safety by allowing large high sided heavy goods and agricultural vehicles to travel through the area away from residential areas as well as reducing traffic congestion on nearby roads.

During the visit, the First Minister met with the workforce including apprentices working on the bypass. £10.3 million has been spent on employing people from Wales which includes apprentices.

Small and medium sized enterprises in Wales have also benefitted from an £11.5 million spend as a result of the bypass development.