Following increasing concerns about traffic congestion along the A470 in Llanrwst, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has spoken of her disappointment at the Welsh Government’s refusal to undertake a public consultation.
Janet said:
“With the Conwy Valley and Snowdonia National Park becoming increasingly popular destinations, and the A470 forming part of the principal route from North to South Wales, Llanrwst is seeing an increasing volume of traffic.
“I saw this first-hand recently when I was myself sat in the town, stuck in traffic.
“When considering that Llanrwst will have the honour of hosting the National Eisteddfod next year, I really do think that this would have been a sensible time for the Welsh Government to undertake immediate measures so to establish what options are available to improve the situation.
“Whilst Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport has refused to prioritise the area, or even undertake a public consultation, I invite constituents to keep sharing their experience and potential solutions with me so that I can continue to press the Welsh Government for action”.
ENDS
Written Assembly Question by Janet Finch-Saunders AM:
Will the Cabinet Secretary state what measures the Welsh Government is considering taking to help ease traffic congestion on the A470 in Llanrwst, and whether a public consultation might be held so that residents can have a say?
Response by Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport:
Our national congestion Pinch points Programme is focussed on the most heavily congested sections of the trunk road and motorway network in Wales where severe congestion is a daily problem. The A470, Llanrwst has not been identified as a priority area as part of this current programme (2017/2021). However, we continuously monitor the trunk road network to identify future changes and will consider this location should it meet the appropriate criteria.
Response by Janet Finch-Saunders AM:
Further to WAQ77009 will the Cabinet Secretary explain why he is unwilling to undertake a public consultation, and state what action he is taking with North Wales Police and Conwy County Borough Council to ensure that the town’s roads can accommodate the increase in traffic during the National Eisteddfod 2019?
Photo:
Photo of traffic in Llanrwst taken by Janet Finch-Saunders AM