THE decision to approve 350 new houses in Sully has renewed calls for a Dinas Powys bypass road to be built.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has said that the need for a bypass road is now "greater than ever".

After raising the issue in the Welsh Assembly last week, Mr Davies described roads in the area as being at "breaking point" explaining that he believed the 350 new houses would only increase pressure on the already busy roads.

During First Minister's Questions at the assembly last week South Wales Central AM Mr Davies pressed Carwyn Jones on the potential of a bypass for Dinas Powys.

Labour’s First Minister told Mr Davies his party would be happy to "examine any proposals" for a bypass brought forward by his Labour colleagues at the Vale of Glamorgan council.

Speaking outside of the Chamber, Mr Davies, said: “With numerous housing developments in both Sully and Barry being approved by the Labour-run Vale council, it is imperative investment is made in our local transport infrastructure to cope with the likely huge increase in demand.

“Many roads in the Vale, particularly Dinas Powys, are already at breaking point and with yet more houses on the way it is clear demand for a bypass is now greater than ever.

“The Welsh Conservatives have been steadfast in our commitment to ease the burden on commuters who unfairly endure a daily grind on the way to and from work.

“Today’s comments by the First Minister have put the ball very much in the Vale council’s court and I would implore them to take urgent action to improve the lives of commuters.

“Hardworking people can only hope the Labour-run administrations in Barry and Cardiff Bay now wake up to these pressures and make decisions which will benefit the lives of those across the Vale of Glamorgan.”

Speaking earlier this year, the Vale council's cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Lis Burnett said the bypass hasn't featured in council plans thus far due to a lack of cash for the project.

"The plan only includes schemes that are deliverable within the timescale of the plan and as no funding is currently available or likely to become available in the foreseeable future it was not possible to include the bypass," she said.

“In addition to this while a bypass has been long mooted there is uncertainty that such a road scheme would resolve the existing congestion issues.

"Indeed there is a concern that it would simply displace traffic at certain points before bringing it together again at the Merrie Harrier junction, which would remain just as congested.

“The local transport plan and the local development plan both consider the congestion issues in Dinas Powys. Both advocate tackling the issue by the promotion of sustainable transport links such as rail and bus, rather than by building new roads which has been viewed as a last resort in recent years.”