THE LONG-AWAITED Caernarfon-Bontnewydd bypass will open on Friday, a move that has been welcomed by the MP and MS of Arfon.

Campaigners have called for a bypass between the towns for a number of years.

Siân Gwenllian, MS for Arfon: “Finally, we will see the new road opening making journeys in the area more pleasant and vastly improving the lives of the people of Bontnewydd and Caernarfon who have campaigned hard to get this project realised.

“The air will be cleaner, there will be less pollution, the streets will be quieter and the long summer traffic queues will soon become part of the past.

“Roads will be more pedestrian and cyclists friendly also.

“The scheme has been subject to delays and Hywel Williams MP and I supported local residents to ensure that the new road wasn’t on the back burner.

“We joined campaigners in Bontnewydd and I raised the matter in the Senedd on numerous occasions to ensure progress.”

North Wales Chronicle: Hywel Williams MP and Siân Gwenllian had previously campaigned on behalf of a bypassHywel Williams MP and Siân Gwenllian had previously campaigned on behalf of a bypass

The project’s overall cost was £139m, and it received the green light in 2018.

Hywel Williams, MP for Arfon, said: “Today will be met with relief by the people of Bontnewydd who have for far too long, endured the daily scourge of traffic congestion and miles upon miles of tailbacks causing gridlock, especially during the busy summer months.

“Our constituents have waited long enough for this bypass to open, enduring repeated setbacks, increased congestion and at times, a wall of silence from Welsh government.

“The new bypass will be a huge boost to both our national and local economies and will further help economic recovery post-Covid.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Jones Bros. and to all local contractors, workers and stakeholders involved in delivering this £139m investment, which has provided hundreds of local jobs and many apprenticeships during the construction phase.”

The road is 9.7km long and it is hoped it will reduce noise and air pollution for people who live along the A487.

Ms Gwenllian added: “I am pleased that the project was able to provide work for many local people and that the work was able to continue to provide employment despite the situation with Covid.

“I applaud all who have worked to get to where we are today.”