Montgomeryshire MS Russell George has said he is glad the proposed Llandiloes overtaking lane has been scrapped by the Welsh Government. 

Mr George’s reaction came after the Welsh Government’s road review which saw nearly all road-building projects in Wales had been delayed, changed, or scrapped altogether after they were put on hold in June 2021.

The Welsh Government took the move to see if the projects still represented value for money and met climate change targets.

READ MORE: A470 expansion near Llanidloes, Powys scrapped by Welsh Government | County Times

The proposed expansion to the A470 by Llanidloes was one of the projects that was scrapped and Mr George welcomed the news as "no one in the community had been consulted on the project" when it was initially put forward by the Welsh Government.

Ministers decided to scrap several Mid Wales Safety Schemes, including on the A470 at Llangurig, and the A487 at Machynlleth yet plans to improve the A44 between Llangurig and Aberystwyth are also going ahead despite the panel advising the Welsh Government saying it should not.

Mr George has welcomed the news that the A470 Caersws scheme is to progress, and the confirmation that the Pant-Llanymynech bypass was not amongst schemes being removed.

He said: “I have a mixed reaction to the outcome of this Welsh Government’s road review, which I didn’t think was necessary in the first place, and am disappointed it has taken so long to be completed and the findings announced.

OTHER NEWS:

“I am also glad that the Llanymynech-Pant bypass is not being axed, and I now intend to formally ask both the Welsh and UK governments for an update on progress.

“For many years I have been promoting road improvements such as on the A44 between Llangurig and Aberystwyth, so it is great news this scheme is going ahead despite the panel’s recommendation that it does not, as this road is known as one of the un-safest roads in the UK.

“I am pleased that the A470 Caersws scheme will proceed, although it will frustratingly still be conditional on the improved provision of further active travel routes and subject to the available funding.

“There are other schemes that have been axed, such as the A470 Llangurig scheme, that I don’t think were required and were progressed without public support, but I hope ministers will explore other improvements such as increasing the number of lay-bys on this stretch of road to support improved traffic flow.”

County Times:

The axing of the project in Llanidloes was also welcomed by the Liberal Democrats.

Local Liberal Democrat County Councillor Glyn Preston 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.”