A483 bypass a priority says new Shropshire councillor

As a child Matt Lee was not allowed to bike to school along the A483 trunk road between Pant and Llanymynech, near Oswestry.

Now the Shropshire councillor for the area, which takes in the two villages, says he will carry on the fight of his predecessor to get the desperately needed bypass.

Councillor Lee said that since he was at primary school 30 years ago the amount of traffic and the size of the vehicles has increased dramatically.

The Llanymynech division takes in a large area stretching southwards to include Knockin and Kinnerley and Councillor Lee said rural roads and other problems facing rural areas were important.

"I am very keen to help rural businesses and things like getting decent broadband and mobile phone signals have to be addressed. Better roads can also help the rural economy," he said.

The dangers of the A483 through Pant and Llanymynech were highlighted when Councillor Lee's own children recently took part in a road safety project at Bryn Offa school.

"The thought of my children having to cross that road fills me with dread," he said.

"Even when I was a child I remember that my parents wouldn't let me bike to school along the main road. Today there are far more vehicles on the road.

"It is not the speed of the vehicles it is the volume of traffic and also the sheer size of some of the lorries. If you are walking or standing on the pavement when a heavy good vehicle passes you can feel that you are being pulled into the road. It can be frightening."

Councillor Lee said that the Arthur Walpole, who retired from the council at the elections, had worked hard to bring road improvements to the area.

"His are big shoes to fill but I will continue his work in a campaign for a bypass."

He said he would look towards not only Highways England but also the Welsh Assembly for help in getting an A483 bypass back on the agenda and said he would be keen to speak to county councillors across the border in Powys.

"Cross border financing could be vital in bringing a bypass to Pant and Llanymynech," he said.

"The road is one of the most important north south arterial routes for Wales and much of it lies in Wales. Four Crosses, Welshpool and shortly Newtown have bypasses and to the north Oswestry, Chirk and Wrexham. The bypass for Pant and Llanymynech is much needed."