This week, Wrexham's Member of Parliament, Sarah Atherton, has called on the Welsh Government’s North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA), to address concerns relating to the extension of the Northbound and Southbound A483 Road resurfacing works by attending an urgent meeting, following the Welsh Government’s announcement that the roadworks would be extended for a further two weeks due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
After hearing from constituents and seeing first-hand the issues created by the roadworks, such as diversions through Gresford and Marford, congestion at the temporary traffic lights and speeding down Marford Hill, Sarah also spoke to the Police and Wrexham Borough County Council.
Commenting on the ongoing disruption, Inspector Gavin Gilmore said that the Police "have also seen a rise in the number of complaints from residents of surrounding villages, reporting increases in speeding and anti-social driving as motorists try to avoid roadworks along the A483.” This mirrors what I have been hearing from residents.
Of course, it is reasonable that when major roadworks take place, there is going to be disruption. However, it is clear in this instance that there has not been enough consideration for the disruption to the area or residents, which is unsurprising given Welsh Labour Government’s detachment from Wrexham. The Welsh Government has not considered the impact of these roadworks or the impact of their extension on the emergency services, public safety, the environment or Wrexham residents. It is essential now that NMWTRA work closely with the myself, the Police and the Council to mitigate these concerns, which are shared by many residents.
Ms Atherton calls on the Welsh Government to involve local stakeholder in their consultation process for the works such as these in the future. If she had been consulted on, or informed of these roadworks, which unfortunately she was not, everyone could have proactively pre-empted these issues by working together.
