Local AM tackles First Minister over Rhayader bypass

7.14.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 25th Sep 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has called on the Assembly Government to take the local community's views into account when considering how to ease traffic problems in Rhayader.

The town is one of several in the constituency which struggle with the heavy traffic generated by the A470. Plans for a bypass were included in the Trunk Road Forward Work Programme several years ago, but construction is not due to start until 2010.

Ms Williams said: "Clearly something needs to be done to tackle the problems caused by heavy traffic in Rhayader, but I feel strongly that the Government must listen to local people, and hear their suggestions for how to improve the situation. A full-scale bypass, which might be environmentally damaging and perhaps would not receive the full support of the community, might not be the only option. The First Minister has said that consultants are due to be appointed in 2008, and I will be working hard to ensure that the community's views are put to them before any construction takes place."

Notes:

Ms Williams raised this issue during questions to the First Minister on the 19th September. A full transcript of that, and every other, plenary session is available at www.wales.gov.uk.

She has also written to the Transport Minister, who has said that he does not feel that any interim work can or should be undertaken in the town until the consultants have been appointed and considered the options.

The 2004 Supplement to the Trunk Road Forward Work Programme, published in March 2002, included proposals for a scheme to resolve the traffic problems in Rhayader. The scheme is shown in Phase 3 of the programme, which means it is high ranking but further studies are needed. Construction is unlikely to proceed before April 2010.