Montgomeryshire AM Russell George and MP Glyn Davies have welcomed a revised preferred route for the Newtown bypass announced by the Welsh Government yesterday (Thursday, 13th March 2014), but says more detail is needed.
Transport Minister Edwina Hart has revealed fresh plans that she claims will have less impact on the local environment, including homes and businesses, and save £5million on the overall cost.
“These are welcome revised plans and look like an improvement on the original preferred route and the impact it could have on the people living and working along it. But we need to see more detail,” said Mr George who has been campaigning for a bypass to alleviate congestion in the town.
“The revisions include moving the planned road further away from the Garthowen housing estate, which will be good for residents in terms of the impact on them.
“It also looks like the road will be moved 80 metres northwards near the Glandulais Caravan Park, which looks much better. However, we need to understand how this change will affect the business which would have been sliced in half by the previous proposal.”
The revised preferred route also includes moving the alignment of the road southwards by 250 metres at the junction with the A483 into town.
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, who has campaigned for a bypass around Newtown for over 20 years, said “Newtown needs a bypass and we need a new road that delivers benefits to all.
“While we need to examine the detail of these revisions to the plans, it looks like they are improvements that should be welcomed and take us forward to the next phase of approving the new road in readiness for the start of construction in 2015.”
Mr George said a roundabout had been incorporated where the road links with the A489, replacing a planned junction which could have caused unnecessary congestion. A bridge has also been added to the plans to take the road over the Cambrian Railway in place of a tunnel under it.
In a letter to Mr George, Transport Minister Edwina Hart said: “These revisions will simplify the work required, which could lead to cost savings of around £5million and will reduce the impact on the local environment.”
A public exhibition is expected in Newtown in April to display the new route and to allow contractors and Welsh Government officials to discuss them with local residents and businesses.
