Campaigners are not impressed by the announcement of works to the troubled Kerry Junction which they say is “too little too late”.
A Newtown County Councillor and the man spearheading the ‘Say No’ campaign have both criticised the announcement which will see disruption for a month from March 7.
Councillor Russell George (left), who is also the Conservative Assembly candidate for Montgomeryshire, said: “Residents have been telling the Assembly Government about this chaotic set of traffic lights since last February. Many people who had sent letters have had replies back from the transport department to say that the new layout and traffic system is working as expected. Whilst I welcome the news that the Assembly government now seems to be admitting that the layout is extremely poor, it is too little too late.
“Due to a poorly thought out plan, the people of Mid Wales with now have to suffer extra misery whilst these works go ahead. The only real short term solution is to restore the roundabout and confirm the start date for the Newtown By-pass.”
Local campaigner Philip Glyn has been urging Newtown residents to ‘Vote No’ in the upcoming referendum to decide whether the Assembly Government should receive more powers.
“I read of the changes to the traffic junction through
mynewtown with horror and apprehension,” said Mr Glyn (right). “This is both awful and wonderful timing. Awful in the chaos that can easily be foreseen knowing the volume of traffic using this junction; and wonderful only in the sense that this is a classic example of why the Assembly should not have any more powers.
“What are the WAG experts doing, messing with the junction to try to cover up the cock up this junction is? Heaven help us if the yes vote wins. I received an email recently from WAG assuring me that the traffic lights were working ok, yet now we learn they plan to cause even more chaos. I urge everyone who reads this and who has a vote to vote ‘no’.”
More than 5,000 residents have signed a petition to call on action to ease Newtown’s traffic nightmare. The petition is expected to be handed in next month.