Welsh Government defend A483 roadworks delays as ‘most effective way’ of working – larger scale works and resurfacing work to come later in year

Welsh Government have said they are confident the people of Wrexham were properly notified and engaged with ahead of the roadworks on the A483 that have left the bypass gridlocked in recent days.

The roadworks are ‘essential’ as part of a larger scale of works and resurfacing work later in the year, with many critical of the impact on their travel time on the road.

The North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA) is responsible for ‘managing, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in North and Mid Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government’ so we asked them who signed off on the schedule of works, and if an assessment was done that compared partial overnight closures against full closures and if the current travel impact was in line with what they expected.

We also asked for a copy of the schedule of works, and also enquired what local engagement had taken place to notify residents of the works taking place and duration.

The NMWTRA did not wish to answer queries, but referred us to the Welsh Government.

We reasked the questions to Welsh Government who initially said this FAQ page held ‘all’ the answers, however once pointing out that was not the case, they pointed to this page on the works and said: “This work has been authorised and funded by the Welsh Government.

“A comprehensive assessment was undertaken to determine the most effective way of carrying out the works. A requirement of the assessment was to provide a temporary safety barrier in order to protect the workforce and road users.

“Occasionally night time working does take place to minimise programme time, however due to the inevitable noise incurred and the close proximity of neighbouring housing estates, the majority of the work is being undertaken in the day time.”

“Unfortunately, delays are unavoidable with these type of works, but mitigation measures have been implemented to keep these to a minimum.

“We have engaged with all partners in carrying out these works”.
 

Rob tweeted us this image, “Traffic now diverting through Gresford and causing chaos” noting it “could have been done during lockdown”

Welsh Government said approximately 1100 residents received written notification of the works to prior to the works commencing, with Wrexham and Cheshire West councils, emergency services, Holyhead Port, Road Haulages Association, Freight Haulages Association and Highways England also notified.

Locally Cllr David A Bithell, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Transport said that he had received a number of concerns from motorists over continued delays along the A483 – again noting that the works taking place are the responsibility of the Welsh Government via the trunk road agency.

Cllr Bithell said, “These works are essential in preparation for larger scale works and resurfacing work later in the year. We have raised concerns on the length of delays and have regular dialogue with the agency to see if they can mitigate the works especially at peak times. I have also written to them about this matter.”

On Friday Wrexham Council told us that following the letter sent by Cllr David A Bithell the Highways Agency had since come back with some mitigation to help with the concerns raised particularly through Marford/Gresford areaa, mainly around signage to help people use other roads before adding to the local backlog.

Top image via Colin, who said, “I’m Driving on the A483 from Chester to Wrexham and been stuck in 5 miles of traffic. I’ve seen NO WORK being done. Move the cones and let the traffic move. As a self employed person this needless traffic costs me time and money!!!”