THE Cabinet member for Highways at Shropshire Council says plans for new road to bypass villages near Oswestry have taken a big step forward in the past 12 months.

Councillor Steve Davenport praised the work of those involved in pushing the plans for the Pant/Llanymynech Bypass forward at recent meetings.

A working group consisting of representatives from Shropshire Council, Midlands Connect and the UK and Welsh governments, met twice recently, with Cllr Davenport praising the constructive nature of the meetings.

In attendance was Sir Peter Hendy, who has been tasked with drawing up plans for the UK’s road network post-Brexit.

After speaking with Sir Hendy, Cllr Davenport believes the plans are again looking increasingly likely to go ahead.

He said: “We’ve had two meetings recently, one with Sir Peter Hendy, who has been given the job of looking at the whole road network in the UK post-Brexit.

“We brought him along because we wanted to make sure the Pant-Llanymynech Bypass is near the top of his list.

“We persuaded him that it is a much-needed improvement to not only Wales but to north Shropshire – in excess of four million vehicles go through Pant/Llanymynech each year.

“In the last 12 months, myself, Midlands Connect, Owen Paterson MP and the Welsh Government, among others, have really been able to get this going now.

“We have received some funding from Central Government already to write up the business plan.

“We can virtually say it’s going to happen, but it’s just when.”

The working groups secured £10million of funding from Chancellor Rishi Sunak last year to draw up a business plan.

Cllr Davenport said the plans would be part of Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3), which focuses on work to be done from 2025 onwards.

He reiterated that plans to dual the A5 between Oswestry and Nesscliffe would be looked at.

Cllr Davenport said: “Those are two of our priorities when it comes to the road network in the area.

“We worked with Ken Skates MS, Sir Peter Hendy, Owen Paterson MP, Maria Machancoses of Midlands Connect, and myself and Shropshire Council.

“I’ve been pushing for this ever since I have been in this position and it’s great that we have really high level people agreeing with us now.

“In our language – it’s got legs. In the last 12 months it has taken a big step forward.”

Mr Paterson also praised the work carried out by the group at recent meetings on Twitter at the weekend.

He tweeted: “Another encouraging meeting to build a strategic case for the A483 Pant-Llanymynech bypass.

“This is a key strategic route for Wales, so it is really good to see close Welsh-English co-operation.

“There is absolute determination that 12,000 vehicles a day (4.3 million per year) no longer threaten my constituents’ lives and quality of life.”

Cllr Davenport confirmed an application for funding had also been made to look at linking Gobowen and Oswestry by rail.

He added: “We would love to see a shuttle service between the two areas.”