A ROAD in the centre of a town near the Herefordshire border will become one-way next week.

Powys County Council said the changes to Hereford Street will mark the final part of a project to improve "active travel routes" in Presteigne.

A spokesperson said that for a number of years, the local community has benefited from "many of the improvements" made by Powys County Council as part of a safe routes in communities project, funded by the Welsh Government.

After consultation with the local community, the plans were put into fruition with the aim of improving the active travel routes within the town so that more residents were encouraged to travel short journeys by walking or cycling rather than by vehicle.

"These improvements provide the community with a safe walking and cycle path travelling most of the length of the bypass and includes links to both the high school and primary school as well as towards the town centre and the town’s housing estates," they added.

Coun Heulwen Hulme, cabinet member for highways, said: “We want our residents to be more active but that can only happen if the infrastructure is in place for them to walk or cycle more.

“The active travel scheme in Presteigne was designed to encourage people to walk or cycle short journeys rather than drive, particularly on the school runs.

“Introducing the one-way system on Hereford Street is the last of the planned improvements to be completed in this final phase of the town’s current active travel project which will help improve the health and well-being of local people, reduce congestion and improve the environment.”