New bypass 'would boost economy', says MP
A bypass must be built on the Powys/Shropshire border to boost the region's economy and bring in more tourists, an MP has claimed.
Glyn Davies said the building of a Llanymynech bypass would bring in more visitors and allow businesses to transport their goods quicker and easier.
The Montgomeryshire MP said a bypass – which has been the subject of a campaign by residents for more than 20 years – is vital for the Oswestry and Welshpool areas. He has raised the issue in the House of Commons and was told by Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin that he will examine the project's place on a list of priorities.
Mr Davies asked Mr McLoughlin: "In my constituency and that of my right honourable friend the member for North Shropshire Owen Paterson MP, there has been a decades-long campaign for a new bypass at Llanymynech, which lies between the two constituencies.
"Will the minister join the Welsh Government in developing a scheme for that purpose?"
Mr McLoughlin replied: "I am grateful to my honourable friend for raising this issue. Such a scheme has been identified in the draft national transport plan for Wales as contributing to access to services.
"We will discuss the matter further with Welsh Government officials to assess their priorities."
Following the debate, Mr Davies said: "Mid Wales depends on good road and rail links to England. We need tourists to be able to travel in to spend, and goods to be transferred out to the markets. There is a real need for a new road bypassing Llanymynech and Pant on the A483. For decades there has been a long campaign locally for a new Llanymynech bypass. It should have been built many years ago. I have promised the campaign group, and the people of Llanymynech, that I will support their campaign however I can."
