'Bypass Decision Is Body Blow For Mid-Wales'- Bates & Opik

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Dec 2005

Plans for an A483 bypass at Llanymynech have been put on ice by the West Midlands Regional Assembly (WMRA).

Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire, said:

"We rang the WMRA yesterday and were told that the Assembly had decided not to approve the Llanymynech bypass. This decision is a body blow to our local economy. Current transport arrangements in Montgomeryshire are simply not good enough. Residents, tourists and businesses face huge logistical problems due to the sheer weight of traffic on our roads.

"It's almost unbelievable to think that the main road connecting North and South Wales goes along a narrow two lane road, through the centre of a small town. This road is incredibly busy, and the traffic effectively divides the community in two. Kids take their life in their hands every time the try to cross it. And the traffic itself is slowed and delayed by the arduous crawl through the town."

Local MP, Lembit Öpik, said:

"The only solution is a bypass. That makes sense in every way, and although it's expensive, the benefit to the community - and to travel - more than justifies the investment. That's why the bypass will continue to have our full support, and our commitment remains to work with Owen Patterson MP to make this a reality.

"The WMRA may not see the A483 as a 'core route', but it is a core route for Mid-Wales. Mick and myself are going to write to the WMRA to appeal against this decision, and get Montgomeryshire the transport links it desperately needs."