Work ‘could get under way soon’ as Welsh Government announce £2.8m funding to fix B5605 at Newbridge

Work to repair a collapsed road between Cefn Mawr and Chirk could get under way soon after the Welsh Government announced further “major” funding of £2.8m to Wrexham Council.

The Welsh Government had already awarded Wrexham Council £175,000 for ‘ground investigation and detailed design of remedial works’ for the B5605 at Newbridge.

The road has been closed since January 2021, when heavy downpours caused part of it to collapse down an embankment during Storm Christoph.

After Wrexham council submitted a bid for more money from the Welsh Government in late February, ministers have now confirmed funding to repair and reopen the road.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates welcomed the news saying he had been “pushing for action alongside local campaigners Frank Hemmings and Derek Wright”.

He said: “I’m thrilled that the Welsh Labour Government has approved Wrexham’s bid for further major funding to resolve this issue.

“It’s caused major problems locally, and a great deal of frustration, but after thorough and necessary investigations this is the news we wanted.

“I’d like to thank the First Minister for taking a personal interest in this matter, and Minister Lee Waters for providing Wrexham Council with such a significant sum of money to fund the work.”

In response to Mr Skates’ most recent representations to Welsh Government on the issue, the Minister said: “I am pleased to advise that we have awarded funding of £2.805m to Wrexham County Borough Council from the Resilient Roads Fund for the remedial works.”

Mr Skates also praised Frank Hemmings, Derek Wright and David Bithell for their work on the issue.

He added: “I’m pleased that by working together – instead of trying to score political points – we have been able to help secure this vital funding for our area.”

Mr Hemmings said: “This is fantastic news for people in Chirk and further afield. This has been a huge headache for local people and has caused a lot of disruption and inconvenience, and I’m really grateful to the Welsh Government for approving the council’s funding application.

“As a B-road it’s actually the council’s responsibility to repair it, but given the level of funding needed we were reliant on the Welsh Government. I’m delighted they have delivered for our area.”

Mr Wright said: “The road is a vital link between our communities and the closure has left some people, particularly those without their own transport, cut off. We have been on and on about this to Ken, and I know he’s been doing the same with Welsh Government.

“This is a massive win for our area and I’m really pleased the repairs can now go ahead.”