A COUNCILLOR has said a bypass through Dinas Powys should be prioritised over plans for a new five mile lane.

Councillor Chris Franks of Dinas Powys criticised Labour and the Conservatives for voting against including the bypass in the Vale of Glamorgan's Local Transport Plan.

The Welsh Government proposal for a new £26 million five mile lane which aims to create a new route from Barry to the A48 and Culverhouse Cross is part of the local authority's long-term vision, which is set to run until 2030.

Cllr Franks said: “It is very disappointing that Plaid Cymru’s proposal for a Dinas Powys bypass as part of the Local Transport Plan until 2030 was voted down by both Labour and the Conservatives.

“They clearly don’t have the interests of Dinas Powys residents at heart."

Cllr Franks added that a Dinas Powys bypass is "more important" for the Vale than building a new five mile lane.

Vale of Glamorgan councillor Ian Johnson said he also wanted to see the bypass brought forward as soon as possible as it would reduce congestion in Dinas Powys.

However, Emma Reed, head of visible services and transport at the Vale Council said that there is evidence the bypass may not be the best way to address congestion in Dinas Powys.

She added: “The majority of funding to deliver the Five Mile Lane scheme, an integral part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Local Development Plan, has been provided by Welsh Government and this cannot be diverted elsewhere.

"There is no Dinas Powys bypass scheme within the LDP, and neither does such a scheme have any funding approval from Welsh Government.

"The Welsh Government's south Wales metro proposals aim to address the congestion issue through making better use of the existing transport routes through Dinas Powys rather than by building a whole new road around it.”

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Government said that the issue of a Dinas Powys bypass is a local authority one.