New plans to ease transport congestion in Newtown were announced today (Wednesday, 13 October) by Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy & Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones.
Following extensive public consultation it was announced that work will now commence on the preferred Orange Option – a southern bypass of the town south of Mochdre Industrial Estate and passing beneath the main Cambrian railway line east of Dyffryn Industrial Estate.
In addition to the bypass – and to tackle further traffic congestion in the town – a package of improvements to local transport will be undertaken. These involve:
- Improvement of access from New Road to the railway station by installing dedicated footways, lighting and crossing facilities.
- A combined footpath / cycleway crossing over or under the Cambrian Railway to the west of the town.
- A combined footpath / cycleway crossing over the River Severn to the east of the town.
- A highway link and bus gate between Lon Cerddyn and Park Lane.
- Provision of further funding to complete additional phases of the Newtown Riverside Path.
Announcing his decision, Mr Jones said,
“I am delighted to make this announcement as these improvements will provide some much needed relief to the residents and businesses of Newtown.”
“This new bypass will not only improve journey time and reduce accidents but will also help further the economic development of the town.
“It’s also worth remembering that Newtown is situated on the very important north to south and east to west corridors of the A483 and A489 so this bypass is also of vital importance to the whole of Wales.”
The next stage will be to appoint consultants and a contractor to undertake various surveys and preliminary design, including an Environmental Impact Assessment.
The Assembly Government will then seek statutory powers to start work on the new bypass.
