Following the Welsh Government announcement that work will be undertaken to replace the joints in the Glan Conwy Viaduct, at junction 19 on the A55, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has sought urgent reassurances that the highway chaos experienced under the Black Cat Roundabout works will not be repeated.
The work is expected to begin on Friday 29 January, during which the viaduct above junction 19 could be closed for up to two weeks. Under current plans, local traffic is due to be diverted via the roundabout and slip roads below.
Aware of local apprehension about the plans, Janet has submitted the following Written Question:
“What impact assessment has been made of the diversion of traffic via the roundabout on traffic flow coming north from Glan Conwy on the A470 whilst the joints are replaced in the Glan Conwy Viaduct?”
According to official figures, over the past 30 years, it is estimated that over 370 million vehicles have passed over the viaduct’s bridge joints since its opening in 1991.
Commenting on the concern, Janet said:
“Whilst I welcome these necessary works as a means of ensuring the safety and longevity of the Glan Conwy Viaduct, we cannot have a repeat of the traffic conditions witnessed under the previous Black Cat roundabout improvement works.
“Like all of Wales, the area remains under an Alert Level 4 lockdown. There is now local concern that unchecked traffic accumulating as a direct result of these works could leave essential workers idling, missed vaccination appointments and residents left outside their homes longer than required.
“For this reason, I have submitted an urgent Written Question to the Welsh Government to establish what impact assessment has been made of the diversion of traffic via the roundabout on traffic flow coming north from Glan Conwy on the A470.
“Whilst this planned full closure of the carriageway is a public safety necessity, local residents must be assured that Traffic Wales and the Welsh Government department responsible have learnt lessons from last year’s traffic chaos.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The Welsh Government's works announcement can be found here.
Photo: William Buist on Unsplash
