Massive economic development plans could be hit by roads review …

Two major economic schemes could be impacted by decisions made to scrap numerous highway projects in the Welsh Government's Roads Review. The Government put all road projects in Wales - not already underway - on hold in 2021 as they launched a review of all schemes.

This concluded earlier this year with North Wales losing a raft of projects - from Flintshire's 'Red Route' to planned junction changes on the A483 at Wrexham ^[1] - while hopes for a third Menai crossing were dashed.

These decisions faced a huge backlash in the north ^[2] - with even Labour ^[3] members hitting out at ministers. Now it is revealed major economic projects could be damaged by the move.

The North Wales Economic Ambition Board - which handles the £240m Growth Deal for the region - has flagged two projects potentially impacted by the roads review. These were schemes they have down on their investment programme.

These are Western Gateway project in Wrexham and Warren Hall at Broughton ^[5]. The £43.3m Western Gateway would see the development of land for employment and business premises off Junction 4 - with the potential to create hundreds of jobs. This is also linked in with the wider regeneration around Wrexham General station, Mold ^[6] Road and the Racecourse.

The scheme has not been scrapped but the council says the junction improvements would have assisted in unlocking development in this area. The Ambition Board are also asking questions over whether the roads decision will have a "negative" impact on the scheme.

Wrexham council and the Welsh Government say discussions are ongoing.

Wrexham council said: "The infrastructure improvements proposed to Junctions 3-6 of the A483 which were recently rejected by Deputy Minister Lee Waters MS and the Roads Review Panel would have assisted in unlocking development at the Western Gateway. According to the Report of the Roads Review Panel titled ‘The Future of Road Investment in Wales’, the road improvement scheme was rejected because ‘the case for change is not well-aligned with Welsh Government’s aim to reduce car mileage’ and ‘ The scheme would increase private car capacity and carbon emissions’.

"However, the Report does state that ‘Welsh Government could consider providing support for an alternative approach to create an exemplar residential and employment development with low levels of car use’. To this end, Wrexham Council will collaborate with WG and endeavour to deliver such an exemplar scheme and unlock development at the Western Gateway."

The Ambition Board also feared the roads report was being used as a reason not to proceed with Warren Hall. They have received some informal reassurance that there was a way forward for the project. Meetings are scheduled with Welsh Government and Flintshire ^[8] County Council officials to discuss this further.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Discussions with relevant councils are taking place regarding the next steps for specific schemes. We have also asked Councillor Anthony Hunt and Councillor Llinos Medi to lead a group to develop guidance on delivering place-based economic development in light of the Roads Review.”

References

^{^} Wrexham (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} faced a huge backlash in the north (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Labour (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Developer wants to build 1,500 homes on North Wales site (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Broughton (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Mold (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Village of ‘bunkabins' could be built in Eryri National Park (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Flintshire (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Sign up for our twice daily North Wales Live newsletter here (www.dailypost.co.uk)