A TOWN mayor has urged residents to be patient with roadworks which are set to take place in the coming months.

At this month’s meeting of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council, the Mayor, Cllr David Selby, said members were keeping track of the number of road closures and traffic lights around the the area due to roadworks in place, due to upgrades happening as a result of the Newtown Bypass.

He said: “We will note the number of road closures and traffic lights in the town at the moment.

“These are major upgrades to gas pipes and water pipes that have been waiting years to be done.

“I would just ask members of the public to be patient with the work being done, for everyone’s safety.”

Earlier this year it was confirmed that with the bypass, there would be projects to replace water and gas mains on Llanidloes Road, Dolfor Road and Plantation Lane, with motorists being warned to expect some disruption as the new pipework is completed.

Cllr Selby added that there is other repair work set to take place in the town soon, which motorists will need to be aware of.

In May, an HGV carrying hay bales collided with Nantoer Bridge. The road remained closed while rail engineers carry out an inspection of the bridge and debris was cleared from the scene.

Repair work now needs to be carried out on the bridge.

Cllr Selby said: “The closure of Llanidloes Road is required by Network Rail.

“This is after the latest incident of a lorry hitting the bridge, but that work has now been delayed until late September.”

It is also hoped that work will begin on the construction of the proposed Back Lane flats as soon as possible.

Earlier in July, Powys Council was dealt a blow when the South Wales-based construction company, which had been awarded the contract to build a three-storey building containing 26 one-bedroomed flats on land adjacent to Newtown Bowling Club, went into administration.

Construction work had been due to start at the beginning of June but to date no work has taken place.

Although the project will be delayed by at least several months, Cllr Selby said: “The council is working as quickly as possible to get that tendered.”

He added that a meeting was also set to take place soon about the new bridge over the River Severn.

The new footbridge is part of the nationwide “Active Travel” scheme, and will link Canal Road and Pool Road at the Llanllwchaiarn end of the town for pedestrians and cyclists.