11 April 2008

Dafydd Iwan welcomes Caernarfon – Bontnewydd bypass consultation

Plaid President and Bontnewydd Councillor Dafydd Iwan has today welcomed news that the Assembly government is appointing consultants to consider the route for  the Caernarfon /Bontnewydd bypass. The announcement was made by Plaid Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones during an Assembly debate. This development would be part of Plaid's strategy to improve north-south links and would help the local economy as well as alleviating congestion in Bontnewydd and nearby villages.

Transport and Economic Development Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones stated during Assembly debate that:

" As you know, a number of schemes have been proposed and I will be in a position to give further details in due course. However, I am pleased to say that the Caernarfon / Bontnewydd bypass is now an operational plan. We will be appointing consultants in the summer who will consider the possible routes for that road."

Bontnewydd Councillor and Plaid President Dafydd Iwan commented:

"This is great news for the people of Bontnewydd and is proof that Plaid Cymru can deliver for the people of Wales. The Caernarfon area needs this road and I am confident that the consultation will support this view and proceed with the scheme."

Caernarfon Online comment:

"As natives of Caernarfon we fear that this project will be another nail in our coffin at Caernarfon! We are also against the one-way system which diverts traffic away from the town and the plans to ease traffic from the town centre."

"We feel that diverting traffic away from the town will have a negative effect on our already struggling businesses. A few years ago the older visitors to this website will remember what happened when the Inner relief road was built. The impact this road had on Caernarfon was one of the first nails in our coffin."

"We were then subjected to removing the buses from our town centre - ANOTHER mistake!"

"We cannot for the life of us see how building a by-pass around Caernarfon will help our businesses! Bangor has more of a traffic problem than Caernarfon the only difference being that they have a bigger and better shopping choice than us."

"Our businesses need help to bring customers here not divert them away. QED"

"We are very sorry if this sounds negative and anti Plaid Cymru, we can assure you we are not, but we feel so strongly about this and feel justified to make this comment."