A5 closure ‘could mean chaos’ if A483 closes due to incident or bad weather says MS

A North Wales MS has urged quicker action over resolving the Newbridge landslip, while warning a planned closure of the A5 could result in ‘chaos’.

As we reported yesterday there are five nights of full closure of the A5 to the east of Llangollen planned this month, with a diversion route set for the A483.

One alternative diversion the B5605 between Newbridge and Cefn Mawr has been closed since January 2021, when heavy downpours caused part of it to collapse down an embankment during Storm Christoph. Wrexham Council previously estimated up to £1m could be required to fix the road, with further damage occurring since the storm. The local authority recently submitted a bid to the Welsh Government for money to allow the repairs to take place.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales Member of the Senedd, said: “There have been plenty of warnings about the lack of alternatives to the A483 since the Newbridge road was closed due to a landslip 15 months ago.

“This night-time road closure in and out of Llangollen on the A5 could mean chaos if the A483 is closed due to an unexpected incident or bad weather.

“Both Wrexham Council and the Welsh Government have been saying that work is ongoing on finding funding for the B5605 through Newbridge. I would suggest that there needs to be a greater degree of urgency about their work as local communities are suffering the consequences.

“We recently saw gridlock in Llangollen due to a bridge strike and the nature of the Vale of Llangollen means there are very few crossing points for the Dee.

“I would urge the Welsh Government to urgently respond to the business case submitted by Wrexham Council with a view to commencing work on re-opening the B5605. That would avoid gridlock problems along the Dee valley and provide a much-needed relief road for the A483.”