Have your say on Newtown bypass plans

THE Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones has announced the start date of the consultation on proposals for a Newtown bypass.

The consultation, which starts on September 3 and runs until November 24, puts forward six different options for a bypass of the town and a series of other local transport improvements to relieve congestion and improve safety.

An exhibition of the proposals will be held in the Monty Club in Newtown from September 8 to 10 and a brochure and response form will be sent to local residents and businesses.

Mr Jones said:

“The residents and businesses of Newtown have suffered the effects of congestion for a number of years and if we don’t act to improve this situation it will only get worse

“These proposals will not only bring safety and environmental benefits to the residents but will also help further the economic development of the town. Newtown is situated on the very important north to south and east to west corridors of the A483 and A489 so this bypass is also of vital importance to the whole of Wales. It will improve journey times and reduce accidents on these routes.”

In addition to the bypass, the proposals include a series of local transport improvements. They are:

• Improvement of access from New Road to the railway station by installing dedicated footways, adequate lighting and crossing facilities across New Road.
• A combined footpath / cycleway crossing over or under the Cambrian Railway to the west of the town
• A combined footpath / cycleway crossing over the River Severn to the east of the town
• Provision of a highway link and bus gate between Lon Cerddyn and Park Lane
• Provision of further funding to complete additional phases of the Newtown Riverside Path

Local residents and businesses can take part in the consultation by returning the comments forms before 24 November 2009.

The forms can also be picked up at the exhibition, where representatives of the Welsh Assembly Government and its consultants will also be present to answer questions.

The exhibition will be held at The Monty Club, 11 Broad Street, Newtown SY16 2LU. It runs from Tuesday, September 8 until Thursday, September 10 from 10am until 8pm on the first two days and from 10am until 12pm on the last day.