Assembly Member Dafydd Elis-Thomas toured the Porthmadog bypass construction site – after following the road’s progress from the air for many months.

Lord Elis-Thomas has been enjoying aerial views of the development during regular flights between his Porthmadog constituency office and his base in Cardiff.

He was keen to see for himself the progress that has been made by joint venture partnership Jones Bros (Civil Engineering) and Balfour Beatty, to ease traffic congestion and significantly improve environmental conditions within Porthmadog, Tremadog and Minffordd.
“I am extremely impressed with what I saw and really enjoyed my visit, it was absolutely fascinating,” said Lord Elis-Thomas, Presiding Officer for the National Assembly for Wales, chair of the Business Committee and Chair of the Assembly Commission.

“I’m particularly struck by the efforts that Jones Bros and Balfour Beatty have gone to, to ensure that local workers have been recruited, and the careful consideration and tremendous planning given to the environment and wildlife.

“I always follow the progress of major schemes in my constituency and I am confident that the bypass will provide a great boost to the local economy and the regeneration of the wider area.”
Construction work on the £35m scheme, which began earlier this year, is expected to take two years.

Jones Bros managing director, Huw Jones, said: “We were delighted to welcome Lord Elis-Thomas to show him the progress that has been made so far.

“He was encouraged to hear how the scheme has provided a jobs boost in an area that has suffered due to the tough economic climate.”

Partnership project manager, Wyn Daniels, said the visit had been very enjoyable:  “We are pleased that Lord Elis-Thomas has taken such a keen interest and took time out to visit the site.”