Newtown Bypass well on track to boost region

Back in 2015, work began on the Newtown Bypass after decades of planning and lobbying for the road to be built.

2019 will be the year that the congestion-busting road will be built, with the whole region of Mid Wales set to benefit.

With the end date just weeks away, politicians have been looking back on the last three years and the years of planning beforehand.

Montgomeryshire AM Russell George has been part of the process in helping the bypass become a reality.

In recent years he has dealt with disgruntled land and homeowners, whose properties have had to make way for the bypass, and he has singled them people out for praise for the sacrifices they made.

Mr George said: "In just a few weeks’ time, we will see the long awaited opening of the Newtown bypass, 75 years after the need for a bypass was first suggested.

"This will be a momentous occasion and I would like to thank the many people, too numerous to mention, who have played a part in bringing about the bypass, which I believe has the potential to transform the economy of towns such as Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth.

"Many people who live near the new bypass and construction sites have been disadvantaged over the past three years and some landowners have had to give up land belonging to their families for generations in order to allow the project to proceed.

"It has to be acknowledged that balancing the needs of the project and respecting the views of landowners was always going to be challenging, but I know that I, along with many others, would want to acknowledge the sacrifices that have been made.

"I am pleased to have seen how the contractors have sought to engage with local educational establishments over the past 3 years, and how they have looked to protect and improve the environment around Newtown by creating a number of new woodland habitats."

Ninety per cent of the surfacing has now been laid, with road markings, barriers, signs and lighting all being installed.

Other statistics include 6.2km of hedgerow, almost 89,000 plants and 195 trees being planted, and a recent 5k fun run on a stretch of the road raised £3,500 for the Wales Air Ambulance and Cancer Research.

It will have taken three years to complete and Mr George added: "As this major construction project continues, there will inevitably be some disruption, but I firmly believe that when it is completed, it will serve to resolve local traffic congestion issues, improve school safety, improve response times of the emergency services and support tourism and the wider Mid Wales economy."