Councillor Calls On Minister To Halt Plans For Trunk Road Works Which Could Cause “Chaos” For Wrexham

A senior councillor has warned of the “significant impact” of proposed works on the A483, which could severely affect traffic in and around Wrexham if they take place. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency (NWMTRA) has proposed a series of resurfacing works to take place on the major trunk road, with a planned start date in early February. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

But Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport for Wrexham Council, has called on Ken Skates AM, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, to call a halt for the works to allow more time for planning and the impact of the works to be communicated to members of the public and to businesses. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Bithell said: “Earlier this week, we were contacted by officers from the Trunk Road Agency regarding proposals for major resurfacing works on the A483, which are due to start on February 6 and expected to last for at least eight weeks. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It was only on January 25 that we were given proposals for the scheme, and how the works were to be delivered – but have received no plans detailing traffic management arrangements, which could include a contraflow system and slip-road closures. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I have significant concerns about the level of impact these works will have on Wrexham and the surrounding area – there is a great risk that they could effectively bring Wrexham to a standstill, with a major detrimental impact on business and service providers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I really can’t stress how concerned I am with the potential impact of these works, and the manner in which NWMTRA has gone about planning and communication in advance. There is a real lack of consideration and appreciation of the impact this will have on Wrexham, its residents and businesses. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I have written to Mr Skates as a matter of urgency, asking him to reconsider the works and prevent the likely chaos which would be caused by their taking place.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​