THE Sirhowy Enterprise Way - a two-mile stretch of road that will bypass Blackwood - now looks certain to go ahead, disappointed opponents admit.

As the Argus reported, at a High Court hearing in Cardiff on Friday, Caerphilly council and the National Assembly won their battle against local landowners Terry Morgan and Hal Moggeridge.

The pair had tried to halt the proposed £34 million road, which will stretch from Blackwood High Street to Pontllanfraith.

But Mr Justice Pitchford agreed with the findings of a public inquiry held in 2001 - that compulsory purchase orders, and the bypass, should go ahead.

He said he could see "no irrationality or illegality" in Caerphilly council's objectives.

But Hal Moggeridge said after the case that he was "very disappointed" with the decision.

He said he was very concerned for the future of St David's Wood, part of which will be destroyed to make way for the road.

"It was a real asset to have this beautiful area," he said. "It would be more important than this road system - but I don't think any appeal can be made."

He and Mr Morgan must pay the Assembly's legal bill of £6,887 - but Caerphilly council must pay its own legal bill of £7,438.

Contracts for the road are due to be awarded in the autumn and the Sirhowy Enterprise Way will take around two years to build. It will be funded by a Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

Blackwood independent councillor Kevin Etheridge, who has long opposed the road, said: "Are we going to rename the Sirhowy Enterprise the golden stretch of road, because £34 million of PFI credits is an awful lot for a two-mile road.

"I'm very disappointed with the decision and concerned about the effect it will have on the bat habitat and the destruction of the countryside."

He added there had been 4,000 objections to the road.

Caerphilly council had several reasons for wanting the road, including developing Oakdale Business Park and improving the economic development and regeneration of the area, not just for Caerphilly but neighbouring areas such as Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.

A spokesman said yesterday: "We are obviously delighted with the outcome.

"The Sirhowy Enterprise Way is essential to the development of the Oakdale Business Park and will help with the relief of traffic congestion in Blackwood town itself."