The controversial expansion of the A470 near Llanidloes to a dual carriageway will be scrapped says the Welsh Government.

The project which would have seen an overtaking lane introduced on the road, but the proposals faced significant local opposition and have now been scrapped.

The news came as the Welsh Government announced details of a review of which road building projects would be going forward after freezing all new builds in June 2021 until a review into which projects would aid the Government's net zero target, as well as improving road safety.

The review looked at 59 road building projects across Wales, leading to the scrapping of a number of Mid Wales Safety Schemes including on the A470 at Llanidloes, Llangurig and Pont y Bat (Felinfach). A similar scheme on the the A487 at Machynlleth, Llanrhystyd and North of Aberarth has also been axed.

Others, including road works on the A470 at Caersws will be going ahead, as will work on the A44 from Llangurig to Aberystwyth will continue with “development of safety and resilience schemes”.

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The A40 by Millbrook Farm near Brecon will also see work on a new safety scheme going ahead.

Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters set the direction for the future of transport in Wales today with a statement that puts climate change at the heart of decision making and said: “We will not get to Net Zero unless we stop doing the same thing over and over.”

Llanidloes County Councillor Glyn Preston welcomed the news and that the project was being axed.

He said: “It is fantastic to hear the news that this ill-planned scheme will not go ahead. Having campaigned on behalf of those in Hafren Terrace and the wider town I’m sure residents will be delighted to hear the news.

“We now need to see Welsh Government investment in public transport throughout Mid Wales."

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Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Waters said the announcement was apart of a “new path”.

“Let me be very clear at the outset, we will still invest in roads," he said. "In fact, we are building new roads as I speak - but we are raising the bar for where new roads are the right response to transport problems,” said Mr Waters.

“We are also investing in real alternatives, including investment in rail, bus, walking and cycling projects.”