Fresh hope for Dinas bypass scheme just months after council seemed to rule it out for good

A letter from the Vale council to South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies seemed to leave the plan dead in the water in August, saying that no Welsh Government funding was available and that the local authority did not see the need for a long-mooted bypass.

But, in a dramatic twist, economy and infrastructure minister Ken Skates appeared to contradict the council's stance in the assembly last week, saying he was happy to play his part in facilitating a solution to what he called a "unique issue."

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Skates said: "I've asked officials to liaise more closely with the local authority in an attempt to identify a solution that can be fully funded.

"We do have a very ambitious programme of infrastructure upgrades across Wales, but I do recognise that Dinas Powys is a unique issue that needs to be resolved.

"If there’s any part that I can play in facilitating a solution, I will happily do so."

The letter from the council in the summer staid it did not believe a bypass would solve congestion issues in the area, and that it wanted to promote more walking and cycling.

It also said that no funding was currently available for the proposed scheme and that it would not be for the foreseeable future.

But following Mr Skates' comments, the Vale of Glamorgan council says it would welcome the opportunity to discuss options going forward.

Councillor Peter King, cabinet member for building services, highways and transportation, said: "A large infrastructure project like this would only be possible with substantial Welsh Government funding.

"If ministers are now considering making such funding available, the Vale of Glamorgan Council would be very interested in discussing options for addressing what we know is a concern for local residents."

But cllr King also said that it is likely that any new road would simply displace traffic at certain points before bringing it together again at the Merrie Harrier junction, which would remain just as congested at peak times.

"The council is currently working to tackle the issue through the promotion of alternative transport links between Dinas Powys, Barry and Cardiff," cllr King added.

"This is an approach that we are confident will have a lasting impact on traffic volumes.

"However, if Welsh Government funding is to be made available we will of course look into other measures."

Welsh Conservative leader Mr Davies, who promised his party would deliver the bypass if in power, in March, said Mr Skates' comments were promising.

"Despite long and justified calls from residents, the Vale council have always refused to build a Dinas Powys bypass on the grounds of lack of funding," he added.

"As well as suggesting the problems could be solved by a few cycle paths, they have constantly passed the buck and blamed lack of funding from the Welsh Government for not giving the project the green light.

"As recently as August, they claimed this funding was not likely to be forthcoming in the foreseeable future, and I am pleased that Ken Skates has contradicted them.

"There is now no reason for the council not to pursue the project and set the ball rolling.

"The Welsh Government have, to their credit, shown they are happy to look at finding a fully-funded solution.

"Any inaction from the council from here on in will be down to a general unwillingness to go ahead with the project that will be unacceptable to local residents."

Members of the Dinas Powys Frustrated Residents Group, Michelle Powell and Ben Winstanley, have voiced their support for the scheme.

Mrs Powell said: "Dinas Powys desperately needs a bypass.

"The excessive and quite often speeding vehicles that cut through from Barry every day is horrendous and another accident waiting to happen."

Land was set aside for a potential bypass in the 1996 Unitary Development Plan but there is no proposal for a bypass in the latest Local Development Plan, which is currently undergoing examination.