2024 is set to bring new opportunities and challenges to Newtown.

2024 is set to bring new opportunities and challenges to Newtown.

As we enter the first day, MyNewtown looks ahead at what residents and businesses can expect.

The planned North Powys Health and Wellness Hub is one of the largest projects. This summer a business case will be pitched to the Welsh Government for consideration before funding is committed and the go ahead given possibly later in the year.

The development will include a hospital, GP health centre and health facilities, among others. It will be built on land close to the old Town Hall and on the current site of the Ysgol Calon y Dderwen off Park Street.

A new school will be incorporated into the project to make it a real community hub.

Elsewhere, the new cycling and pedestrian bridge spanning the River Severn between Pool Road and Lower Canal Road is due to be completed in the summer. It will allow improved access to the recreation grounds, shops and businesses in that area, as well as forming part of a cycle route into and around the town.

Another bridge in the town isn't in such a good shape. A campaign is continuing to raise around £500,000 to renovate the Long Bridge in the town centre.

Newtown Town Council has been urging Powys COunty Council to undertake improvements, including cleaning and painting the historic bridge. However, the county council says it will almost cost the whole North Powys highways budget to complete.

Several groups, including the town council and Newtown and District Civic Society are working to raise grant and other funding.

In September we reported Cllr David Selby, whose county council portfolio covers economic development, said: "We have tried to look at if there is any other funding for the maintenance of the bridge."

He said it would cost around £400,000 to paint it due to the cost of scaffolding due to the nature of the structure.

"We have tried ways of funding it. It would wipe out north Powys's highways budget."

The bridge is an iconic part of Newtown and its heritage.

Built in 1827 by Thomas Person, it replaced an existing bridge and had to be widened in 1857 with the increase in traffic across it and the growth of the area of Penygloddfa.

Newtown's town centre businesses have struggled with a range of issues over the past year. More shoppers are needed to help the local independent businesses and street market survive.

The increase in county council parking charges has been one factor blamed. It now costs around £2.50 to stop for a short time in the Gravel and Back Lane car parks.

The county council came under fierce pressure and conceded to undertake a review which is currently ongoing. A decision on the fees is anticipated early this year.

On a positive note, the Newtown Town Partnership was established in November. The group of interested businesses, organisations, groups, and the town council will collaborate to create new opportunities for the town centre and the wider community.

There could also be further developments on plans to revive the Montgomery Canal closer to Newtown. While a multi-million project is underway to open up the canal to the UK network, work on the Newtown side does not form part of this.

A feasibility study is likely to consider the opportunities of opening up the canal so that it reconnects to the Garthmyl section. However, this will cost millions. 

MyNewtown is pleased to have kept you informed of news, sport, community events, jobs, business and farming news during 2023 and we will continue to bring you independent news from our hyper-local sites, including MyWelshpool during 2024.