Traffic chaos hits charity pockets

Newtown’s traffic problem is hitting local charities and companies in the pockets as drivers avoid the chaos.

The claim has been made by a Newtown County Councillor who has so far collected 4,000 signatures for a petition calling for a solution to the town’s traffic nightmare.

And he says there is now “firm evidence” that official mileage claims have increased on journeys through Newtown due to drivers having to take diversions or being held in long queues.

Cllr. Russell George said representatives of the Welsh Ambulance Service and Newtown’s Dial –a-Ride service have both contacted him about their increased mileage costs.

“Ambulance service members are complaining that mileage claims have increased on traveling around and through Newtown because of drivers diverting to avoid long tail backs,” he said: “Newtown Dial-a-Ride have also told me that the Department of Transport, to whom mileage claims must be submitted, have questioned why their fuel costs have increased so significantly from 12 months ago, when their actual mileage has not changed. Dial–a-Ride tells me it has sent the Department newspaper cuttings of Newtown’s traffic issues to provide an explanation.”

Cllr. George aims to attract 10,000 signatories to his petition and will lead a delegation to Cardiff to demand that the Welsh Assembly Government brings an end to the traffic chaos.

“The fact that 4000 people have already signed up in just a few months demonstrates the strength of local feeling.”

The Newtown Transport Petition can be found at Newtown Post Office, MP Glyn Davies’s new constituency office in Parkers Lane, or by visiting www.newtowntraffic.com.

Just before Christmas, residents were celebrating the news that the Welsh Assembly Government has granted ‘protection’ to the proposed ‘orange’ route. However, historians have welcomed the news with caution, pointing out that until it is approved in the spring budget, the town is no nearer than it was 60 years ago when the idea was first mooted.