Expect more road delays in Newtown from next week as work begins on passing places for wind turbine vehicles.
RES Systems Ltd is to begin work creating a lay-by on the A483 along Pool Road in Newtown and also on another lay-by near to Berriew.
The work is due to start on 2 May and will last four weeks.
It is understood the lay-bys will be used by large vehicles carrying elements of the large turbines destined for the Garreg Lwyd wind farm near Llanbadarn Mynydd.
Similar work is already underway along the A483 near Dolfor which has started at the same time as construction on the Newtown bypass.
“Works in this location will involve the construction of a passing place on the existing left hand verge of the southbound carriageway leading into Newtown,” said a spokesperson for RES.
“The passing place – for use by turbine delivery vehicles only – will be constructed using Grasscrete reinforcement so that the surface can be seeded with grass which will grow through to blend with the existing verge.
In the interest of safety, and in agreement with Welsh Government and the relevant authorities, appropriate traffic management measures, such as temporary traffic lights, will be implemented as required and where deemed safe to do so will be removed at the end each working day.”
The spokesperson added: “Typically, any noticeable presence on the roadside will comprise signage, highway construction vehicles including excavating and compacting equipment, and a small team of workers who will make every effort to keep the temporary disruption to a minimum.
“During peak hours traffic lights will be operated manually to further minimise disruption to the travelling public.”
Work is likely to take place over weekends.
Another lay-by is being created near Berriew, close to the Horseshoe public house.
“There may be a requirement for weekend working in order to complete small sections of works to keep the programme on schedule as progress can often be subject to favourable weather conditions.
“Normal working hours for this construction activity will therefore be Monday to Saturday, from 7:30am-7:30pm, and between 7:30am and 1pm on Sundays.”
More information about the wind farm can be found on the project website (www.garreglwydhill.co.uk) which will be regularly updated so that people can easily track the latest progress of these works. RES said it will also continue to write directly to identified residents and businesses along sections of the A483 which may potentially be impacted by the planned road works.