CONSTRUCTION work began on the long-awaited Newtown bypass this morning (Monday, 7 March).

Local politicians have welcomed the beginning of the two year building project, which will ease congestion and improve journey times for motorists heading east from Aberystwyth, Machynlleth and Llanidloes.

Montgomeryshire’s AM, Russell George said: “It has been a long time coming, but I’m delighted that actual construction has now started.

“The Welsh Government has informed me that works will take two years to complete and I am looking forward to driving on the new bypass myself in the Spring of 2018.

“I was delighted to watch work starting around the Glandulas area with machinery moving on site. Work has also started near Black Hall, Dolfor where a works compound has started to be constructed.

“My own attention now moves to ensuring that construction remains on schedule over the next two years and that disruption is kept to a minimum. I also want to be supportive to land and home owners who are being affected and do all I can to ensure they are treated with the utmost respect during the construction phase.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point and I would like to thank the 10,000 people who signed the petition I organised and those that have supported the campaign. It was back in spring 2011 that a full coach of local people travelled with me to the National Assembly for Wales to formally hand in the petition.”

Montgomeryshire’s MP Glyn Davies said: “The bypass will be hugely important to the economy of towns such as Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth. It is urgently needed to address congestion issues, improve school safety, improve response times of the emergency services and support tourism and the Mid Wales economy.

“The need for a Newtown bypass has been debated since the 1940s and its great to witness work starting on the bypass today.”