People's day to day lives being ruined as debate heats up over bypass funding
People's day to day lives being ruined as debate heats up over bypass funding
The debate continues over the Llanbedr bypass
Residents complain traffic comes to a standstill in Llanbedr on an almost 'daily basis'
(Image: Llanbedr bypass community group )
Supporters of the Llanbedr bypass are being redirected to apply for funding through a new regional transport authority, as opposed to receiving direct financial support from the Welsh Government. A £14m bypass for Llanbedr received approval in March 2020, only to be cancelled in November 2021 after a review on roads due to climate change concerns by the government.
Traffic issues remain unresolved and tend to worsen during the summer. The Welsh Government has indicated that a "low-speed" road alternative, designed to alleviate congestion in the village centre, may still be considered, allocating £400,000 to develop the idea.
Specialist consultancy WSP, together with Cyngor Gwynedd and civil engineering firm YGC, have been refining various upgrade proposals for the Llanbedr area. This includes a revised plan for a possible new road west of Llanbedr.
A "material start" was also made on parts of the previously sanctioned project, potentially smoothing the path for future planning permissions. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
However, the First Minister recently announced that any funding requests must now go through the newly established Corporate Joint Committee for North Wales, comprising local councils, with a £100m budget earmarked for regional transport investment, reports North Wales Live.
Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, argues that it is incumbent upon the government to directly finance the bypass, especially after shelving the initial scheme.
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Speaking in the Senedd, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS stated: "A fortnight ago, you were celebrating the fact that you'd asked for a specific amount of funding from the Westminster government through the Spending Review and that you'd received the money that you'd asked for.
"Last week I questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Transport as to why a bid wasn't made for funding for plans in northwest Wales and the response I got was that it wasn't that simple – you need plans that are operational within three years and that's why bids hadn't been made.
"You will be aware of the Llanbedr Bypass Scheme – it was your government that withdrew funding for the Llanbedr bypass originally, and therefore it's your government that has prevented those plans from being developed.
"It was a plan – if implemented and if the funding was in place – it could be operational by 2027. There is no excuse as to why that cannot proceed, apart from the fact that you're not funding it.
"Will you make a commitment today that you support the Llanbedr Bypass Scheme and that you're willing to find the monies to ensure that Gwynedd Council can proceed with that programme as soon as possible?"
The new road proposal for Llanbedr
First Minister Eluned Morgan responded: "Well, the Labour Government is eager to ensure that local leaders do have a greater say on which roads, and so forth, that should be developed.
"That's why we're going to ensure that financial allocations in the future are based on the decision made by the corporate joint committee. I think that it is important to note the fact that a working group has been established between Cyngor Gwynedd and the Welsh Government and Transport Wales to consider the options that are available to deal with transport problems in Llanbedr.
"We've already given £0.5 million to Cyngor Gwynedd to continue with the design development. Then, what will need to be done is that they will then need to convince and work with the CJC to make the case for that funding coming to Llanbedr."
Mabon ap Gwynfor MS added: "In her response the First Minister said that a pot of £100m was being provided to local authorities across north Wales for transport infrastructure and that Gwynedd will have to argue the case for £32m of this pot.
"It's the Welsh government that pulled the plug on Llanbedr's shovel-ready plans four years ago, therefore it is their responsibility to now ensure that the relief road is fully funded and goes ahead without further delay."
Local councillor Gwynfor Owen expressed his gratitude towards Mabon ap Gwynfor, Member of the Senedd, for addressing the First Minister about the critical Llanbedr Relief Road issue. "I am grateful to our Member of Senedd Mabon ap Gwynfor for raising this matter with the First Minister today.
"The issue of the Llanbedr Relief Road is of utmost importance for the area, for safety reasons as well as for economic opportunities for the future. If the Welsh Government want to show that they are a government for the whole of Wales they should immediately guarantee the funding that this project needs."
Cllr Nia Jeffreys, Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd, highlighted the negative impact the ongoing situation in Llanbedr has on local residents. "This on-going saga at Llanbedr is ruining people's day to day life in the village itself. Walkers are being put at risk due to the inadequacies of the road infrastructure not fit for 21st century use and the environmental effects of heavy traffic at standstill regularly at the village during busy periods is a serious cause for concern."
She also pointed out the longstanding economic repercussions of the inadequate road system. "In addition, the economic impact this inferior road infrastructure is having on this rural area has been an issue since the late 1950s. It is high time that this Labour Government did what is needed, take decisive action now."
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