MP calls on Welsh Government to resolve police A483 roadworks issue as “congestion preventing them reaching emergency calls”

Wrexham’s MP has called on the Welsh Government’s North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA), to address concerns relating to the extension of the Northbound and Southbound A483 Road resurfacing works by attending an urgent meeting.

On Wednesday Atherton wrote to the NMWTRA over concerns following the Welsh Government’s announcement that the roadworks would be extended for a further two weeks due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Ms Atherton said after hearing from constituents and seeing first-hand the issues created by the roadworks, such as diversions through Gresford and Marford, congestion at the temporary traffic lights and speeding down Marford Hill, she also spoke to the Police and Wrexham Borough County Council.

She said: “The Police raised concerns about congestion preventing them reaching emergency calls, forcing them to look at alternative routes by bypassing the A483 to respond to police incidents.

Similarly, Wrexham residents raised concerns about the diversion routes being improperly used, including speeding HGVs on Marford Hill and through the surrounding villages, creating dangerous amounts of traffic, and noise and congestion on roads ill-equipped to cope.”

Ms Atherton added: “Of course, it is reasonable that when major roadworks take place, there is going to be disruption. However, it is clear in this instance that there has not been enough consideration for the disruption to the area or residents, which is unsurprising given Welsh Labour Government’s detachment from Wrexham.

“The Welsh Government has not considered the impact of these roadworks or the impact of their extension on the emergency services, public safety, the environment or Wrexham residents. It is essential now that NMWTRA work closely with the myself, the Police and the Council to mitigate these concerns, which are shared by many residents.

“I would call on the Welsh Government to involve local stakeholders, including myself, in their consultation process for the works such as these in the future. If I had been consulted on, or informed of these roadworks, which unfortunately I was not, we could have proactively pre-empted these issues by working together.”

We asked North Wales Police and Welsh Ambulance Service about the reported issues, and how significant the impact had been on response times. We also asked when mitigation had been put into place, and was that working.

Inspector Gavin Gilmore, said: “We understand the requirements for improvements to the A483, however we must balance the need for road improvements with the ability for emergency services to attend calls as quickly as possible.

“We have also seen a rise in the number of complaints from residents of surrounding villages, reporting increases in speeding and anti-social driving as motorists try to avoid roadworks along the A483.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service pointed us to the council for answers so we re-asked the same questions to Wrexham Council and Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport told us: “The road works are part of road improvements resurfacing works on the A483 by Welsh Government who are the responsible body via their agency NMWTRA.

“This work was briefed to local businesses and the council together with community councils prior to the works proceeding. The works are due to be extended for up to 2 weeks due to unforeseen issues.

“The council does work closely with the trunk road agency to mitigate the impacts on local communities whilst improving the road network in Wrexham.

“I am not aware of any police concerns raised to the council, the agency or Welsh Government following the meeting I had with them and our officers recently.”