Bank Holiday relief for Newtown after opening of £95 million bypass

Bank Holiday weekends, in particular Easter and August, have proved to be a nightmare for people in Newtown for decades, as holiday makers and beach goers gridlocked the town in a bid to get to the Welsh coast.

That is no more though after the town's £95 million bypass opened in February.

There has been a marked reduction in the amount of traffic going through the town already, but the full impact is being felt this weekend.

See also:

• £95 million Newtown Bypass is opened - with video and pictures

A simple bank holiday trip into town will no longer take hours as people get to the seaside via the bypass.

County councillor Joy Jones said she previously hated bank holidays, but for the town residents bank holidays are now bearable and an easier place to live.

Difference

She said: "The bypass has made such a huge difference to our town. Instead of the main road through Newtown looking like a caravan park which it has for many years as people attempt to travel through on their way up towards the coast and have been catch in massive tailbacks that lasted for miles and became extremely frustrating.

"This year people have been able to hop on the new bypass and continue their journey without the frustration of being held up. It has made a massive difference to people who live or want to come into the town as you are able to get to the where you need to go.

"It’s opened our town for anyone travelling to the coast to visit and see what we have to offer, stop off for a comfort break or some food without worrying about getting caught up in long queues.

"I for one hated bank holidays, as it meant I couldn’t just pop into town. But now I can and it has made Newtown an easier place to live and visit."