Member Article

Business urges green light for Caernarfon Bypass or risk further traffic jams

Employers have warned that Caernarfon may have to wait another ten years before a bypass can be built - if the published scheme doesn’t get the go-ahead.

CBI Wales Director, Ian Price, has warned the North West region will risk being relocated to the economic slow lane if the chosen route for the £90m scheme does not get approval following the public inquiry.

The Bontnewydd and Caernarfon bypass route starts from the Goat roundabout on the A499/A487 junction to the Plas Menai roundabout, around Llanwnda, Dinas, Bontnewydd and Caernarfon avoiding the town centres.

Mr Price has called for a speedy outcome following the inquiry, which will determine whether the Welsh Government’s published scheme for the Bontnewydd and Caernarfon bypass is recommended for approval.

The Welsh Government announced the current preferred route in2013. The public inquiry had originally been scheduled to take place in 2016, but was put back. It will now start on Tuesday 13 June.

“The preferred route was selected years ago, and some preparatory work has already been carried out. But if an alternative is now listed, the preferred route may also be scrapped and planners will have to start again with a blank piece of paper.

“If no decision is taken we risk further traffic congestion with delayed deliveries and frustrating daily commuting for people getting to and from work.

“Businesses from all over North West and parts of mid-Wales depend on an efficient and reliable flow of traffic in this area.

“Business would welcome a speedy decision from the public inquiry, to keep to the construction start date of September 2017. Otherwise, work will be prohibited due to the nesting season, and wouldn’t start until Autumn 2018.”

The public inquiry will be held at the Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon and is expected to last five weeks.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .