Llanbedr bypass plans scrapped by Welsh Government – but ‘alternative measures’ promised to ease traffic
Plans for a long-awaited bypass in Gwynedd have been shelved as part of a review of new road building schemes in Wales.
Planners approved the £14m Llanbedr bypass last year to alleviate traffic problems in the village.
The project was then placed on hold in June after the Welsh Government announced a review to consider the impact of new road building schemes on the environment.
Deputy climate change minister Lee Waters said last month that a review of the Llanbedr plans would be fast-tracked to avoid potentially missing EU funding.
It’s been announced today that the bypass scheme will not move forward after being examined by a committee made up of transport and climate change experts.
In a written statement, Mr Waters promised alternative measures would be looked at to address traffic issues in the village instead.
He said: “The Llanbedr access road scheme has been taken forward by Gwynedd Council with funding from Welsh Government.
“As the scheme is at an advanced stage of preparation the panel chair was asked to ‘fast-track’ its review of the Llanbedr scheme.
“The chair’s report concludes that the proposed scheme does not align well with new Welsh Government transport and climate policy, and advises that it is not taken forward.
“I have accepted the chair’s recommendations and Welsh Government will not support any further work on the current Llanbedr access road scheme.
“However, I am committed to providing funding for the development and implementation of an alternative package of measures to address the negative impact of traffic in Llanbedr and in other villages on the A496, whilst also encouraging modal shift and reducing CO2 emissions.
“The package can also consider access requirements to the airfield to support associated developments.
“I have asked my officials to work with Gwynedd Council to commission Transport for Wales to develop an alternative package for consideration, in line with the chair’s recommendations.”
He said any Welsh Government funding for the package would be provided via the Local Transport Fund and subject to the usual application process.
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