Call for short-term action over Newtown traffic

Queues of up to five miles build on both main routes into Newtown on an almost daily basis and although the Welsh Assembly has announced that work will begin on a new bypass to ease the problem next year, residents and businesses say a temporary solution is still needed.

Last year, hundreds of people attended a meeting in the town to vent their anger about the problem and a Welsh Assembly report conceded that while the traffic lights along Pool Road had been poorly calibrated when they were installed two years ago, it was the best that could be achieved until the bypass is opened.

But motorists today called on something to be done temporarily to help as bottlenecks continue to "infuriate" them.

Campaigner Philip Glynn, who lives in Commercial Street, said: "It has been 12 months since the meeting was held with representatives from the Welsh Assembly and although in that time a contractor for the bypass has been named, there is still no movement on the real issue which is the traffic in Pool Road."

Hannah Gaiton, drives from the town to work in Welshpool and back each day, experiencing the road during rush hour.

She said: "It continues to be a nightmare. You can be queueing a couple of miles from home for up to 45 minutes and it just makes your day a misery."

Carys Lawrence, who runs a Rugs and Mugs market stall in the town on Tuesdays, said the situation was bad for business.

She said: "I think businesses are suffering because people know the problems and are avoiding the town and using Welshpool and Shrewsbury instead. They say the bypass will solve the issue, but I worry this will take motorists and their business completely out of town."

Edwina Hart, Welsh Assembly minister for transport, said work will begin on the £5.6 million bypass in late 2014 or early 2015 and should be open by late 2016 or early 2017.

She said: "This is a very important project which will improve the quality of life for the people of Newtown and improve journey times and safety along the A483 and A489."

She added that signs would ensure motorists will be encouraged to visit town centre businesses.