One year on since the opening of the Newtown bypass

It'll be exactly one year since the Newtown Bypass was opened on Friday, 14 February.

Nearly 70 years after it was first considered and following constant lobbying from the community, businesses and politicians, the road was constructed and then opened last year.

"During the past seven decades the bypass has been on and off the agenda at various points in time," said Russell George AM.

The campaign for a bypass originally began in the 1940s. More recently, in March 2011, 30 people from Montgomeryshire joined Russell George in submitting a 10,000 strong petition to the National Assembly for Wales.

Both Russell George AM and Craig Williams MP are now promoting further progress on other important transport schemes such the construction of the new Dyfi Bridge at Machynlleth, a Pant Llanymynech Bypass, the dualling of road sections at Llangurig and Llanidloes along with improvements at Moat Lane Crossing near Caersws.

Mr George said: “People from Newtown and across Mid Wales have applauded the way in which the bypass has had a positive impact on Newtown and the wider area, not only in easing the congestion issues which plagued the town, but in stimulating the Mid Wales economy and contributing to traffic improvements in and around the town.

“There has been widespread support for the bypass from the local community and there is already anecdotal evidence that it has begun to have a role in transforming the economies of not only Newtown but our other major towns such as Llanidloes and Machynlleth.

“I am aware of businesses who are preparing expansion plans as a result of the bypass and while there have been isolated teething problems and a few safety concerns which have been brought to my attention over the last year, there has been almost universal support for a project which took 70 years to become a reality.
 
 

Montgomeryshire MP, Craig Williams added: “The Newtown bypass has made a significant improvement to the Mid Wales economy, and I believe we now have to turn our attention to other infrastructure projects such as the Pant Llanymynech Bypass.

"I welcome the commitment by the UK Government that they will deliver a Pant Llanymynech Bypass and an ambitious Growth Deal to improve transport networks and boost economic growth across the Welsh border.”