AN ACTION group has described the road going through Llanymynech and Pant as “unfit for purpose” and has renewed its efforts for a bypass.
The Llanymynech and Pant Bypass Action Group has sparked huge interest in trying to get a bypass and its members hope to get many people involved.
They have a group on Facebook and are spreading the message of their efforts across both villages.
Rob Kynaston, a member of the group, said: “The A483 going through our villages is in most residents’ opinion unfit for purpose.
“15,000 vehicles pass through each day, including many HGVs passing through the villages almost constantly, and it’s just not capable of taking such a high volume.
“We have got to persevere, and hopefully we can drum up more interest now we have MPs attending our future meetings.”
Vivien Byrne, council clerk for Llanymynech, added: “The current system definitely needs changing. It’s very poor.”
The battle for a bypass began in 1972 when a preferred route was announced. The scheme though was placed on a “low priority” status by the Highway Agency and the development of the scheme has since been halted.
A spokesman for the Highway Agency said: “The Llanymynech and Pant Bypass scheme was removed from Highways Agency forward programme following its downgrading as part of the Regional Funding Allocation process.
“Since then, we have conducted a further study and concluded that the scheme was not viable.”
It will take the efforts of residents from both sides of the border to change the current road system.
Dilys Gaskill, chairman of Llanymynech and Pant Parish Council, said: “It’s ironic that a road going into two countries hasn’t been looked after by either of the bodies responsible.”
Speaking on the £6 million bypass by Four Crosses, which was opened in July last year, Rob said: “We cannot be bitter – but our need is much more urgent.”
Described as a “cross county issue” by AM Russell George, residents from both towns have joined to campaign for a bypass, which will ease traffic through both villages.
The first Action Group meeting took place on Friday, January 6.
Another meeting is scheduled at the Dolphin Inn, Llanymynech, on Thursday, February 2, at 7pm and a public meeting, which campaigners hope both MPs Glyn Davies and Owen Paterson will attend, will be held at St Agatha’s Church Hall on Thursday, March 1, at 7pm.