THE LONG-AWAITED Newtown bypass, set to open in 2017, will be a “huge economic boost” to Llanidloes and Machynlleth, a local politician has said.

A preferred route for the multi-million-pound scheme, which has been decades in the making, was announced by transport minister Edwina Hart last week.

The route, which will see the bypa­ss begin at the Llanidloes side of Glandulas Holiday Park, has been welcomed as an important step for the “vital” project.

Russell George, Montgomeryshire’s AM who organised a 10,000-signature petition calling for plans to move forward, said he was “delighted it will now finally become a reality”.

“The bypass will be hugely imp­ortant to the economy of towns such as Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth,” he said.

“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.”

Ms Hart’s announcement of the preferred route followed a public inquiry into the plans.