DELIGHTED Gwent villagers can breathe a sigh of relief now that a new road has transformed their community.

The people of Cwm fought for decades for a bypass for their village now their prayers have finally been answered.

The £21 million Cwm Relief Road was opened to traffic this week by contractors Mowlem and local people say their once traffic-logged streets are now a joy.

Marilyn Meyrick, who was secretary of the Cwm Bypass committee that fought for the road, said she had been "quite emotional" when she first saw cars using the bypass.

"I never thought that I would see the day but it has been worth all the work, without a doubt," she told the Argus.

"It is already making a big difference. I can sleep better at night without all the noise from the lorries. It is quiet in Marine Street now.

"It has been a real community effort. We had people who were in their 80s who came to the Assembly with us when we were fighting for this road. We won the day and this is a big change for Cwm."

Resident Kimberly Lewis, 21, said: "I am so used to the noise that I can hardly sleep now, the road is so much more quiet!

"It is much safer for my three-year-old niece who lives next door and much, much cleaner as well."

Mum Karen Hill, who is 40, said: "It should improve road safety for the children I will be more likely to let my son walk to school now."

And Lynne Chilcott, pictured, landlady of the Victoria Arms, added: "Lots of our regulars have been saying that they are finally getting a good night's sleep because the lorries have gone."

Cwm councillor Des Davies said: "The road has had a marvellous effect already.

"A bus driver told me it was the first time he had driven down Marine Street without having to pull over at least five times."

Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law said he drove on Sunday afternoon for the first time along the road he campaigned for at the Assembly.

"Everyone is delighted. It is a huge relief for the villagers of Cwm from the traffic, noise and dust that they have suffered.

"It is a remarkable transformation and it shows what people can achieve when they stand up for what they believe is right."

He said: "It has also been a tremendous feat of engineering as the road had to be anchored to the mountainside."