Ken Skates Meets The Apprentices Helping Make The Newtown Bypass A Success

Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates has met with eight of the apprentices that are helping ensure the Newtown bypass is completed, on schedule, by 2019. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Work on the £92 million project started in February and will connect the A489 and A483, alleviating Newtown town centre’s traffic problems and improving accessibility. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The contractors, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd have created the apprenticeships through the Project Skills academy as part of their commitment to the local community. A further eight are in the pipeline. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’m delighted to see the progress that’s being made here on this important road and to meet the impressive young individuals who are gaining experience and skills through the excellent Project Skills Academy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Infrastructure is too often seen as just tarmac and building sites. What’s often lost is the importance infrastructure has on the communities and local economies. With this project, it’s there for all to see, both in the short term, through the local apprenticeships and jobs it’s created and in the longer term, by relieving Newtown of its congestion problems and helping it reach its economic potential. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It’s great to see the bypass taking shape and I look forward to seeing it completed and helping facilitate further growth in the area.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​