Newtown bypass is 'wonderful news', says Glyn Davies MP
A long-awaited bypass which will ease traffic congestion on a major route through Mid Wales will also bring a huge boost to the economy.
Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP, said the Newtown bypass - which was given the go ahead following a public inquiry this week - has been a long time coming.
Mr Davies said he started discussions on the bypass as early as 1982.
This week the Welsh Government announced its approval for the project to go ahead, with construction likely to begin before Christmas.
"I hope to be driving on the new bypass in late 2017. It's wonderful news for Montgomeryshire - for Newtown, Mid Wales to the west of Newtown and our economic future. It's a day to celebrate," he said.
The former county councillor said he had been involved in discussions about the bypass since being elected as Montgomeryshire Planning Committee chairman in 1982.
"It's been a long slog reaching this decision. I was first involved 33 years ago. Newtown was being doubled in size and a bypass was thought crucial to the success of this great physical and social change.
"There have been many people involved in delivering this result. In the early days, the late Peter Garbett-Edwards was a leading dynamic driving force, along with others.
"Three modern day individuals who have also played key roles. Former Assembly deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones made a firm commitment to deliver the bypass by 2017 in a formal meeting with me in March 2011.
"Assembly Minister Edwina Hart who has driven the project over recent years is a great champion of Montgomeryshire, delivering our renal dialysis unit, the Newtown bypass, real movement on a new Dyfi Bridge and last week promising to scrap Welshpool's ridiculous one-way system.
"Also our own current Assembly Member, Russell George, has shown great tenacity in ensuring that the Welsh Government's promises have been delivered .
"He will continue to pressurise the Welsh Government to ensure there is no slippage in completing the scheme.
"It's been a very long time coming - but now it is coming."
More than 10,000 people signed a petition calling for the bypass to be built.
Queues of many miles often form on the A483 at motorists and heavy goods drivers try to negotiate Newtown on their journey through Wales. The problems are exacerbated in the summer by holiday traffic.
Those against the bypass fear that Newtown will suffer from the lack of through traffic. Plans are in hand to put up brown tourism signs on the bypass.
