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Campaigners for a bypass around Dinas Powys say the long-awaited road could be closer than it has been in 90 years.

Vale of Glamorgan Council is set to hold a public consultation on the latest stage of the bypass plans - which would aim to ease traffic congestion between Cardiff and Barry - before the summer.

An outline business case has been drafted for the bypass but the council says it needs to do further work to identify a preferred route to take forward to a full business case to Welsh Government.

Possible routes start from the Merrie Harrier roundabout and would either connect with A4055 Cardiff Road south of Dinas Powys then continue onto the Biglis roundabout, which is the option preferred by Arcadis, the council's consultants.

Alternatively, the new road could extend to the roundabout between Sully Moors Road and Hayes Road. Improvements to public transport and cycling and walking routes are also being considered.

The council says it needs to engage with Network Rail to understand the potential costs around building the bypass near a railway tunnel, model improvements to the Merrie Harrier junction, and undertake a public consultation.

The council is asking the Welsh Government for £80,000 to complete the Welltag 2 outline business case but if that funding isn't given the authority would find the money.

Emma Reed, the council's head of neighbourhood services and transport, said at a council meeting on March 7 that a 12-week consultation could be launched before the summer break in August.

Mrs Reed told the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee: "We have made great progress on this project over the last couple of years.

"We still need to do this additional work. I don't have any good news in terms of Welsh Government funding for this.

"I've put a number of bids in. I've recently had money for junction 34 of the M4 but I don't have additional funding for this."

Rod Harrod, chairman of the Dinas Powys Bypass Steering Group, said the bypass plans are "more advanced now than at any time in the last 30 or even 90 years".

Mr Harrod said improvements to the Merrie Harrier junction would benefit staff, patients, and visitors at Llandough Hospital.

Councillors said there could be some competition for Welsh Government funding for the bypass from the proposed works on junction 34 of the M4.

Councillor Andrew Robertson, who represents Dinas Powys, said he couldn't understand why there had to be competition for funding with the M4 scheme.

"If the traffic situation in Dinas Powys is resolved it would benefit every community across the South Wales, Vale of Glamorgan corridor."

Cllr Gwyn John urged the campaign to keep going despite the delays.

He said: "I can appreciate how frustrated people involved are with the delays.

"[The bypass] is a must. With all the development we have got across the Vale of Glamorgan it's chock-a-block. It's getting worse.

"Don't give up, get stuck in. It's going to be a battle."