Congestion in the centre of Porthmadog

Changes are proposed to protect bats and two sports clubs in Porthmadog.

Businesses had been worried about the impact of the new road but increased traffic has convinced some that it would benefit the town.

The bypass would begin to the north of Tremadog and then rejoin the A487 in Minffordd, near Penrhyndeudraeth, to the south of Porthmadog.

One change, near Minffordd, would lessen the impact of the new road on an important bat roost.

The other change would lessen the impact of the road on the grounds of both the Porthmadog Sports Club and Porthmadog Town football club - the initial preferred route would have separated the clubs' shared facilities.

Businesses in Porthmadog now feel a bypass would benefit the town

One local businessman Nigel Hughes said he was concerned about part of the proposed route.

He added: "I'm worried about the part which passes the bottom of Porthmadog because during a very wet winter the water level there is quite high, and I'm not sure if they've taken that into consideration.

"Another thing is the fact that most of the traffic travelling through Porthmadog does not go on toward Caernarfon, but rather towards the Llyn peninsula, so there is going to be a bottle neck at the Penamser end of the town," he added.

The plans will be on show at the Glaslyn Leisure Centre until 27 January, with officials from the Welsh Assembly Government, consultants Halcrow Group Ltd and White Young Green Planning available to answer questions.

Plans will also be displayed at Porthmadog library until 6 March.