AN END to traffic woes for Dinas Powys is another step closer, as the Vale of Glamorgan Council applied to the Welsh Government for £580,000 on Monday 18 February.

The money will be used to complete a study into ways to reduce congestion through the Dinas Powys corridor, including by-pass options.

The five part Welsh transport appraisal guidance (WelTAG) study is a process set up by the Welsh Assembly Government and is used in every major Welsh transport proposal.

Over £120,000 has already been spent on stage 1 and the majority of stage 2 of the study, creating basic plans.

Rod Harrod, Chair of the Dinas Powys By-Pass Steering Group, said: "Because they will make the final decision as to how the process should proceed, until now the council has been unable to officially affirm their support for a by-pass. But the consultant's draft stage 2 report clearly states what we've all known for many years – which is that a by-pass must be part of any solution.

"There have been those who claim the Welsh Government don't have the funds for a bypass road. I'd remind them that last week saw the opening of the £90 million Newtown By-pass, which serves a far smaller gross population than between Barry and Cardiff. The Caernarfon by-pass cost could spiral from the original £65.5 million to £145.4 million.

"Work towards a positive outcome is further forward than at any time since it was first mooted over 90 years ago."

There are a number of other steps still to be taken before the cabinet will eventually decide which by-pass route option and other measures should be surveyed and designed in detail in stage 3.

The council has promised a public consultation of the proposals in the future, giving everyone the opportunity to discuss and comment on the project with officials and consultants.