Scrapping roads plan slammed as critic says 'offering false hopes is not fair'
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North Wales Live readers have been voicing their thoughts on the ongoing discussion surrounding traffic congestion and infrastructure in Wales, and the news that the Welsh Government aren't guaranteeing funds for a scheme it backed and then scrapped in a recent roads review.
Supporters of the Llanbedr bypass will now need to apply for funding from a new regional transport body, as opposed to receiving direct financial support from the Welsh Government. The £14m bypass for Llanbedr was initially approved in March 2020 but was subsequently cancelled in November 2021 following a review of roads in light of climate change by the government.
The issue of traffic congestion remains unresolved and tends to worsen during the summer months. The Welsh Government has suggested that a new 'low-speed' road plan to alleviate pressure from the village centre could still be considered, earmarking £400,000 for the progression of such proposals.
Consultants WSP collaborated with Cyngor Gwynedd and civil engineering consultancy YGC to finalise potential improvement options in and around Llanbedr. This included an updated design for a possible new road to the west of Llanbedr.
A "material start" was also made on parts of the previously approved scheme to facilitate future planning.
However, this week the First Minister announced that any funding applications would now need to be submitted to the newly established Corporate Joint Committee for North Wales, comprised of local authorities. This committee has been allocated £100m to be spent on transport within the region.
However, Plaid Cymru's Mabon ap Gwynfor, Senedd Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, maintains that the scheme should receive direct government funding following the original project's cancellation.
One commentator, BarnettFormulaSpongers claims: "There's more congestion due to 20 mph limit."
Yet, Jeff2509 disagrees by saying: "Dozens of studies in Wales, Spain, London have shown there is no increase in congestion. But there is unprecedented reductions in accidents."
Daffyddthomas believes: "They need to stop the buses and wagons going through, the bridge and the street are far too narrow."
Gromit69 writes: "Will it ever stop that they stop making consultants rich and actually get something done? How much money have they wasted talking about Llanbedr?"
Freddyfrom says: "Just over 25 years of our Welsh Gov / Senedd has had control with promises that it would be far more accountable to the redsidents of Wales. The people of Wales have been conned, with Senedd politicians just carving out lucrative jobs for themselves, and who are just as remote and a law unto themselves, and certainly no more accountable than Westminster ever was."
Steamnut adds: "We are being played as next year there is an election. Offering false hopes like this is not fair on Llanbedr at all."
ThePickledLiver quotes: " 'You need plans that are operational within three years..." and we have a five-year election cycle. No party is going to put a project forward if it risks some other party getting the glory on completion."
PedroD believes: "Now if this project was in Merthyr, it would be a very different story."
Are you surprised that the Welsh Government scrapped the scheme? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
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