Newbridge landslip repair funding latest – Minister says “the ball is firmly in the council’s court”

The minister for North Wales has been challenged over what efforts are being made to ensure a storm damaged road in Wrexham is repaired as soon as possible.

Torrential downpours and flash flooding caused by Storm Christoph in January 2021 caused a landslide at the B5605 between Newbridge and Cefn Mawr, resulting in part of the footpath collapsing down an embankment.

It has previously been estimated that repairs could cost up to £1 million.

As we have previously reported Wrexham Council previously applied for funding from the Welsh Government to fix the damage to the area and secure the footpath and road, however the request was knocked back as it did not meet the relevant criteria.

New images released by Wrexham Council earlier this month show that more cracks are developing as the road’s condition continues to worsen, with fears unless there is some urgent progress the road could remain closed until 2023.

Speaking at the Senedd on Wednesday, Plaid Cymru MS for North Wales, Llyr Gruffydd, called on Lesley Griffiths, Welsh Government’s North Wales Minister and MS for Wrexham, for information on what is being done to make sure the road is repaired before further damage emerges.

Mr Gruffydd said: “It isn’t a rural back road, as you know. It’s quite an important through road for a large number of communities, a large number of people, and it transpires now it could be two, maybe three years before that road is fixed, if at all, if funding is available.

“Now, the delays have already led to greater subsidence at the site, which will only ultimately mean a greater cost to fix the road.”

“So, in your role as Minister for North Wales, can I ask what efforts you’ve made to make fixing this road a greater priority of Welsh Government, and, indeed, what efforts you’ve made to try and make sure that funding is available to fix the road as soon as possible?”

Ms Griffiths confirmed that she has had a discussion with officials at Wrexham Council and is awaiting an application for funding.

She said: “I did a visit to the aqueduct, and, of course, as you know, the road that you refer to, which of course, Wrexham Council are responsible for, is not far away.

“I know there’s been a further meeting between transport officials and officers at Wrexham Council. As I say, we’re waiting for an application for funding for this financial year for ground investigation and the design works.

“That then will inform, obviously, any future application that comes from the council for funding the construction work that’s required.

“I know that Wrexham Council did submit a bid for funding to make urgent repairs to the flood risk management infrastructure. But that funding—it was, obviously, previously in my portfolio—is only available when it’s acting in accordance with the Flood and Water Management Act and in line with the policy that’s set out in the national strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management infrastructure and the grant memorandum.

“So, their bid was unsuccessful because any repair works wouldn’t reduce the risk of flooding, which, obviously, is the reason funding is given.

“I appreciate that it’s very frustrating, but it is really up to the council now to make sure that they provide the information that the Welsh Government have asked for.

“I will continue to press for this. Obviously, it is a matter of urgency, but I’m afraid that the ball is firmly in the council’s court.”

Councillor David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Environment & Transport reacted to the debate in Cardiff, telling Wrexham.com “In respect of the Minister’s comments ‘the ball is in our court’ I do hope that we get this one over the line as this is significantly affecting local communities with diverted traffic from the A483.

“By working together we can achieve the same aim and get the funding required to re-open the road. We are currently obtaining our geotechnical report and will be submitting a bid as soon as possible.”

Cllr Bithell also noted he had raised the issue via Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes, who he said subsequently raised it with the Welsh Secretary, with the latter explaining to Cllr Bithell, “The Welsh Government is more than adequately funded to manage the costs of devolved responsibilities. The Welsh Government’s 2021-22 spending review settlement provides around £123 per person for every £100 of equivalent funding in England. This is around £1 billion more than the agreed level of fair funding for Wales relative to England as set out in the fiscal framework.”

Cllr Bithell also said “I have also recently written to Julie James MS minister for climate change asking for an update on funding and commitment earlier today.”