Motorists are being reminded that the A489 Newtown to Kerry road will be closed for two weeks from Monday.

The road will be closed on either side of Lower Brimmon Farm along the Vastre from April 16 to allow complex bypass alignment works.

The official diversion route will take drivers on a 30-mile detour from Kerry to Churchstoke, up to Welshpool and then down to Newtown along the A483, adding 45 minutes to a journey that would normally take less then 10 minutes.

Diversion signs have been placed along the effected routes for at least a week reminding drivers of the closure.

Emergency services will be allowed through the road works and Dyfed-Powys Police will monitor Wern Ddu Lane, which is only be accessible to residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

Councillor Joy Jones said: “Please could people not use Wern Ddu Lane as a short cut to miss the road works as this causes distress to residents. It is a dangerous lane at the best of time but when it is used by the general public it becomes a rat run.

“The lane has few passing points and is used by farm machinery. Sadly people and van drivers use the lane as a short cut and often drive far too fast which could cause a very serious accident."

The volume of traffic has been a cause for concern for residents in Abermule with many drivers e

Contractors, Alun Griffiths, have told Powys County Council that they will be working extended hours and weekends, and are confident that the measures will ensure that the works will be completed within the two week closure. However these works are dependent on good weather and subject to unknown ground conditions.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Phyl Davies said: “The alignment work is complex and requires significant traffic management to make sure motorists and bypass construction workers are safe throughout the operation.

“An infrastructure project the size of Newtown Bypass was always likely to have an impact on the road network and we ask motorists for their patience.”