PLANS to build a new bypass around Llanbedr have been given a cash boost.

Transport minister, Edwina Hart, this week promised an additional grant of £144,000 to the scheme for designs to be drawn up of the proposal.

The Welsh Government has previously provided £344,000 of funding to Gwynedd Council to support the planning and development stages of the scheme which would bypass the village and a notorious bottleneck bridge which has historically hindered access to the nearby airfield for larger vehicles.

The project, being led by Gwynedd Council, is estimated to cost in the region of £9million, still has a number of statutory processes to go through before work can begin, which is due to start in 2018.

Mrs Hart said: “We recognise the importance of this bypass to the local economy which is why we are investing in this latest stage of the scheme.

“It is a key economic development project for Gwynedd Council that will improve connectively to not just to the Llanbedr Airfield but also across the wider Enterprise Zone, enhancing the site’s attractiveness for further private sector investment.

“It is also an excellent example of the type of schemes supported through the Local Transport Fund to drive our priorities for jobs and growth by improving access to employment sites and Enterprise Zones.”

Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, based at Llandedr, is one of two distinct sites within the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone.

The Welsh Government is investing in key site infrastructure at the Llanbedr site to support the Enterprise Zone Board’s development plan to make the site suitable for the aerospace sector and enhancing Wales’ RPAS (remotely pilotted aircraft systems) capability.