Llanymynech/Pant by-pass shelved

There is disappointing news breaking from the halls of power and it is not good for motorists and Llanymynech residents.

It appears that the long awaited Pant-Llanymynech bypass has been knocked on the head by our cousins from across the border, sparking our local Assembly Member to call on the Welsh Government for immediate action.

It has been revealed that the Highways Agency has undertaken a review of the scheme but concluded that it does “not offer good value for money because it would only make a modest contribution to economic development and housing in the region”. Given this advice, UK Transport Ministers have instructed the Agency to stop work on the scheme and not to include it in the Agency’s programme of major regional works.

It is a blow to residents who have set up the Llanymynech and Pant Bypass Action Group after suffering a huge rise in passing traffic over the past decade.

Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, has now called on Welsh Ministers to review its road network options.

The Welsh Government has confirmed that due to the need for cross-border collaboration, it could not progress with the scheme but was prepared to review its options along the Welsh trunk route network.

“While the advice to the UK Government was of course disappointing, it has to be seen in the context of a wide range of positive responses from both individuals and organisations on both sides of the border, including both Powys and Shropshire Councils,” said Mr George.

“As this is an issue of cross-border concern, it is going to take the engagement and commitment of governments on both sides of the border to solve this long-standing traffic problem.

“However, I don’t believe this is simply an economic argument, there are very real road safety concerns that need to be addresses too.

“I hope the Welsh Government won’t simply park this issue but will respond positively to both what the Petitions Committee has requested and to what Powys Council has highlighted and produce a strong Welsh business case that proves this bypass is necessary.”