Following reports that the Newtown Bypass route should be reconsidered to pass directly through the Mochdre Industrial Estate in Newtown, local membership organisations the Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce and Mid Wales Manufacturing Group are urging the Welsh Government not to jeopardise jobs and business growth by changing the route of the bypass.
Keith Palmer, CEO of the Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce, commented: “Together with the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, we represent a large proportion of the businesses located on the Mochdre Industrial Estate who are very concerned about a proposed route change which would adversely affect them.
“When any large-scale development or infrastructure project takes place, the reality is that someone will be negatively impacted upon. However, in this instance, 50 businesses who employ more than 1,000 skilled people on the estate are being jeopardised. This will have a huge bearing on the economy of the region and isn’t acceptable.
“Business conditions in mid Wales have been challenging for many years and we have already heard concerns about the lack of suitable industrial property available to support growth. A change of route for the bypass would reduce the amount of industrial property further. Mid Wales is already facing a number of difficulties, including skills shortages, delays to superfast broadband and poor transport infrastructure, which stifle economic growth and prevent businesses expanding or locating in mid Wales. While the new bypass will improve transport links, it is ludicrous that a route is even being considered which would cut straight through the busiest industrial estate in the whole of mid Wales.
“We, along with the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, urge the Welsh Government to progress with the originally proposed orange route which would not affect the Mochdre Industrial Estate and for the project to begin as quickly as possible to improve transport infrastructure, and therefore the economic prospects, for the region.”