Concerns Raised Over Planned Changes of Maintenance Along A483 Verges

Lead members at Wrexham Council have expressed their concerns over proposed changes to roadside maintenance with fears thet could impact on a strategic corridor into an area known for its natural beauty and heritage attractions.

At the start of January, Cllr David A. Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, wrote to Edwina Hart AM – Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport – to raise the council’s concerns over planned changes to the environmental management of the A483 by the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency.

Under the proposed changes, grass verges on the main road would be mowed once a year, and some of the lay-bys will be closed – leading to fears that without a place to stop and dispose of litter responsibly, motorists will throw their litter on the road instead.

A response from the Minister says the existing approach to maintaining and cutting grass alongside the road ‘does not provide a safety benefit’.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are concerned with the impact that a reduction in grass-cutting would have on the appearance of the grass verges running alongside the A483.

“This is a major route in to north-east Wales and the Welsh Marches from northern England, and hundreds of thousands of visitors make use of it each year. We need to ensure it is maintained at the highest possible standard.

“The Welsh Government’s new management arrangements for the road will result in a significant drop in standards, and the Minister’s response is not satisfactory.”

Cllr Neil Rogers, Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, who holds responsibility for the Destination Wrexham partnership, expressed similar concerns.

Cllr Rogers said: “Many drivers on that part of the A483 will be visiting places such as the National Trust properties at Erddig and Chirk Castle, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Ceiriog Valley.

“Tourism brought more than £100million in to Wrexham in 2014, and anything which impacts on visitors’ lasting impression on the area will have an impact on the jobs sustained by tourism.

“It is of great concern that these proposals are in place – this could lead to a huge increase in litter on what is the gateway to Wrexham and a unique part of Wales.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities and Partnerships and chairman of the Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Board and World Heritage Site Board, also raised queries regarding the plans.

He said: “It is disconcerting that such an important road will receive such little maintenance if these moves go ahead.

“Given that the road is so near an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is disappointing that the verges alongside it could end up poorly-maintained and a hotspot for littering.

“We at Wrexham Council urge the Welsh Government to rethink its stance on this and bring in regulations which would see the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency maintain the verges on a more frequent basis.”