Call for urgent statement in Senedd over bypass delay

CARMARTHENSHIRE East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards has called for an urgent statement in the Senedd following reports that the proposed much-awaited Llandeilo bypass is facing further delays.

An initial decision was meant to be made last autumn, but the Welsh Government is still considering feedback from the public consultation, with an announcement on the preferred scheme not being announced until the spring.

The bypass was first agreed in 2017, with work supposed to begin during 2019. However, delays have resulted in predictions that work may not start until 2025.

Mr Edwards said: “It’s unfortunate that news of further delays to the Llandeilo bypass project has emerged during the Senedd Christmas recess, meaning no opportunity to scrutinise the announcement.

“In the interests of transparency there needs to be a ministerial statement on the floor of the Senedd to enable the Welsh Government to outline its revised position and allow Senedd members to raise questions.

“If the Welsh Government won’t offer a statement, then backbench Senedd members should seek to secure an urgent question of their own, unless there is an opportunity via other business to probe the relevant minister directly.”

He added: “There is inevitably a great deal of scepticism locally about whether the bypass will ever be delivered as a result of all the broken promises over the years.

“Early last month, Plaid Cymru leader and MS for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Adam Price, blasted the Welsh Government over “continued delays” to the bypass.

He said: “It is completely farcical; construction was supposed to begin on this project in 2019.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are currently in discussion with Carmarthenshire Council on the bypass and preferred options for the scheme will be announced in the spring.”