Scrapping of Llanbedr bypass plans described as ‘a real kick in the teeth’
The scrapping of plans for a long-awaited bypass in Gwynedd has been described as “a kick in the teeth” for the area.
The Welsh Government announced yesterday it would not be proceeding with the £14m Llanbedr bypass because of climate change.
The road was initially approved last year in an attempt to alleviate traffic problems in the village.
The project was then placed on hold in June after ministers launched a review to consider the impact of new road building schemes on the environment.
Plaid Cymru representatives for the area have hit out at the decision after a panel found the road was likely to increase carbon emissions.
Senedd Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “This announcement is a real kick in the teeth for Llanbedr and for all of the coastal communities.
“The decision not to develop the link road was based solely on environmental reasons, with no weight or concern at all for community health, personal and mental wellbeing, and the wider environmental impacts.
“It’s clear that the report’s author has no understanding of life in rural Wales. If the Welsh Labour Government were genuinely concerned about the climate emergency, they would fund essential public services and transport for the people of Llanbedr and the surrounding communities.
“I would urge the Welsh government to go a step further and shut the M4 Motorway in the minister’s own region, and force the hundreds of thousands who live in those urban areas to use public transport.”
Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd said: “The community of Llanbedr has been crying out for years for a bypass to improve the quality of life for local residents.
“The community will be as disappointed as I am that the Welsh government has chosen to impose a blanket ban with scant understanding of the situation on the ground.
“At the height of the summer, with the combination of visitor traffic and heavy goods vehicles, the village often comes to a standstill.
“The volume of traffic driving through Llanbedr or standing idle with engines running is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of residents.
“The lack of decent access to Welsh Government-owned Llanbedr Airfield means that our own government is acting to prevent improvements which would boost the economy of rural north west Wales.
“I urge the Welsh government to immediately reconsider this decision.”
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.
Yesterday’s announcement that the bypass scheme would not move forward came after it was 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 funding for the package would be provided via the Welsh Government Local Transport Fund and subject to the usual application process.
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