Newtown bypass: Takeover of construction firm 'will not affect project'

Alun Griffiths civil engineering and construction, which was founded in 1968, was awarded the Welsh Government contract for the bypass.

The company, which is expected to complete the work later this year, has also worked on rail and road projects across the country and the West Midlands

Last week it was announced that Tarmac would take over the contractors.

The value of the deal or the money involve was not revealed.

Alun Griffiths will continue to operate under its own name as part of the Tarmic business.

A Welsh Government spokesman confirmed there would be no changes to the bypass construction.

He said: “Alun Griffiths told us they were being sold a few weeks ago and that it would cause no problems to the bypass construction.

“We also have been in contact with Tarmac, which said there would be no problems.

“It will continue as normal, with the site remaining as Alun Griffiths.

Two Tarmac employees have been appointed as directors of the Alun Griffiths business.

They are managing director for contracting Paul Fleetham, and head of finance for contracting and the Middle East, Nick Mason.

Last year, Alun Griffiths reported a £50 million increase in revenue to £154m.

The company’s pre-tax profits also doubled to £2.3m. In the last year, the company – as well as working on the bypass construction – was named project developer on the £70m dualling of a major road link in Worcestershire.

The registered address of the business has moved from Abergavenny to Tarmac’s headquarters in Solihull.

However, a spokesman for the company said structural changes were not planned and no jobs would be cut.

He said: “The Alun Griffiths name and reputation is very well known and respected.

“It makes sense to keep them operating under that name.

“It will retain its identity and the teams will remain in place, so Griffiths customers will see very little change.”

Newtown and mid Wales has been crying out for a bypass for many years due to crippling traffic congestion in the town.

Following a three-week public inquiry back in June 2015, the development was given the go-ahead. Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has previously called on Powys County Council to take full advantage of the biggest construction in the county for decades.