Newtown's historic bypass is set to open on Thursday, February 14, it has been announced.

The long-awaited bypass, which is being built by the Welsh Government at a cost of more than £80 million, was expected to be finished early this year.

And now on Thursday, February 14, the road will officially open to traffic.

Montgomeryshire Assembly member Russell George says the opening of the new road will be a “momentous occasion” for Mid Wales, over 70 years after the need for a bypass was first suggested.

Commenting on the news that the Bypass is to open, the Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, Russell George said:

“The opening of the Newtown Bypass on 14th February will be a momentous occasion, and the many people who have played a part in bringing about the bypass should be thanked.

“In 1949, Montgomery County Council published a public notice titled Proposed Newtown Bypass, and called for schoolboys aged 16 or over to consider putting themselves forward to record the number of vehicles travelling through the town between Friday September 2nd 1949 and Sunday September 4th 1949 in an effort to assess the requirement for a Newtown Bypass.

"Whilst it’s been over 70 years since the Newtown Bypass was first mooted, the Bypass is now a reality and I’m delighted that the Welsh Government Minister for Transport will be cutting the ribbon that will allow the first vehicles onto the new bypass. Tribute should also be paid to the former Transport Minister, Edwina Hart, who was always very willing to engage with me on plans for the bypass."

The bypass to the south of Newtown will be approximately 6.5km long and extends from the A489 Llanidloes Road at Penstrowed to the west of Newtown, to the A483 Pool Road, east of Newtown.

The road will see eleven new bridges opened along the route as well as five new roundabouts built into the scheme designed to alleviate traffic congestion in Newtown.

“I believe the bypass will have the potential to transform the economy of towns such as Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth and the contractors, Alun Griffiths, should be congratulated on this incredible feat of engineering. It is an outstanding achievement," added Mr George.

“For a major project like this to be completed within 3 years from start to finish is amazing in itself, and there has been huge support for this project from the community and a great interest in the construction works.

“It ought to be acknowledged that people who live near the new bypass and construction sites have been incredibly patient over the past 3 years and that some landowners have had to make sacrifices and give up land belonging to their families for generations in order to allow the project to proceed.

“It’s also important to keep in mind that there will still be other construction works such as landscaping which will continue after the bypass has been opened but I’m looking forward to driving on the full length of the bypass myself.

“I firmly believe that the Newtown Bypass will serve to resolve local traffic congestion issues, improve school safety, improve response times of the emergency services and support tourism and the wider Mid Wales economy. As such, I am very much looking forward to the opening day."

Wales' transport minister, Ken Skates, has said he is 'delighted' with the way the project has gone.

He said: "Good progress has been made on the bypass over recent months and the work programme continues at pace and on schedule.

"The Newtown Bypass is a significant development for the area and a prime example of the Welsh Government’s commitment to investing in Mid Wales.”