THE speed limit is set to be reduced on A4811 Llanidloes Road in Newtown.

Powys County Council has submitted a public notice stating its intention to enforce a 30 miles per hour speed limit on the road, down from 40mph.

The stretch affected will be from Pavilion Court to Heol Ashley at the college roundabout.

The decision to make the change was delegated to Powys County Council with environment portfolio holder Cllr Heulwen Hulme notified in December.

In a pack sent by the council's Traffic Engineer North, Highways and Technical Services, it was explained: "Powys CC has been awarded £200,000 grant funding to extend the existing shared use path on Llanidloes Road to the college and theatre thereby completing on of the key arterial Active Travel routes through Newtown.

"As part of the plans it will be necessary to widen the path under Nantoer bridge which currently presents significant safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists (particularly young people walking to and from the college).

"The preferred solution is to use one of the existing traffic lanes to create the extra space for vulnerable users thereby reducing the existing live carriageway to one lane.

"This will be controlled by means of a programmed traffic control system.

"At present this area falls within sections of 40mph zone. To ensure safety on approach and through the traffic control it is felt necessary to extend the existing 30mph limit to include areas that currently have a residential and community facility frontage.

"The proposed speed limit Order and the associated signage will be funded as part of this project."

It adds: "The proposal is part of Powys County Council’s activities to pursue the extension of the existing shared use path on Llanidloes Road to the college and theatre to complete one of the key arterial Active Travel routes through Newtown.

"The Council is continuing to engage with local residents and stakeholders who will be affected by the proposal. The introduction of this traffic regulation order is required to safely facilitate these works and to address existing concerns regarding high traffic speeds along the A4811 on the approaches to side road junctions and past residential properties and community facilities along this route.

"The proposals support the CIP priority of improving our transport infrastructure by making it safer for people to use the highways within Newtown and to encourage active travel movements."

Any objections or representations about this proposed Order should be sent in writing to the council's Traffic Systems Manager at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG.

l For more public notices see page 51 of this week's edition of the County Times