Newtown's bypass will open to traffic for the first time tomorrow afternoon, Thursday February 14.

The £90m scheme is set to be officially unveiled by Transport Minister Ken Skates AM in an invitation-only ceremony tomorrow, before the road is opened up to traffic later in the day.

The opening of the scheme will mean the three year project has been completed ahead of schedule, although planting and screening works are expected to continue for some time to come.

The long awaited by-pass will not only provide economic benefits to Newtown but it is good news for the whole of Mid Wales at a vital time, said Powys County Council leader County Councillor Rosemarie Harris.

“The new by-pass will improve transport links for businesses right across the region and improve access to and from important markets to the east of the town. Improved transport links have been rightly identified as a vital component in the Mid Wales economic strategy and the opening of the by-pass ahead of schedule is a bonus,” she said.

The opening of the new road means a resurfacing programme for the existing A483 Pool Road between the new bypass roundabout at the Eastern end of town and the Dyffryn Industrial Estate will get underway next week, and will see the road closed to traffic from Monday, February 18 until Sunday, February 24.