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A55 improvement works accelerated and £1.9m Tal-y-bont scheme to go ahead this spring

Advanced drainage improvement works are being accelerated on the A55 in order to help reduce the risk of future flooding on the carriageway, First Minister Carwyn Jones will announce today.

Extra funding of £0.5m is being provided to ensure the work can start in the autumn this year, subject to agreement with the landowners.  

The accelerated advanced drainage work will be between junctions 12 and 13 on land adjacent to the carriageway and was originally part of the extensive Abergwyngregyn to Tai’r Meibion scheme.  It can now be completed 12 months ahead of schedule, subject to agreement with the landowners.  

Planning work has already begun on the project which will involve the construction of earth bunds, ditches and channels to take flood water into the existing water courses.  This will help prevent flood water from entering onto the A55.  Culverts will also be upgraded to prevent blockages during heavy rainfall.

The First Minister will also confirm that work on the separate Tal-y-bont flood alleviation scheme is due to begin this spring and is expected to be completed before next winter.  The £1.9m project is funded by the Welsh Government.

The First Minister will make the announcement while visiting the Traffic Management Centre in Conwy, where the A55 is monitored 24/7 and action is taken to deal with any problems which arise on the carriageway.  

The First Minister said:

“We know that the A55 in its current state is not fit for purpose, and was not designed for the volumes of traffic we have today.  Frankly, if we were building it now it is certain that things would be done differently.

“This means that there are a number of issues to resolve to ensure the smooth running of this vital artery for North Wales.    

“The Aber to Tai’r Meibion scheme is a major £15m improvement project for this particular stretch of the road which needs a great deal of planning because of its sheer scale.  

“However, part of the scheme to help prevent some of the flooding issues on the A55 can be brought forward and I am pleased to say that work is now underway. Subject to landowner consents I expect this project to be constructed in the autumn.

“We’ve had unprecedented levels of rainfall, particularly here in North Wales, and it is vitally important that we are able to cope with this as these occurrences are likely to be more common in future.  That is why I wanted to see action taken as quickly as possible, where it was possible to do so.

“I’m also pleased to confirm that work on the separate Tal-y-bont scheme is due to begin this spring.  

“When I saw the flooding on the A55 and then met with residents of Tal-y-bont who had been affected, I said that the money was available for a flood alleviation scheme to help reduce the risk of it happening again.  Following discussion with Gwynedd Council I’m pleased to say that construction can start this April and will be complete ahead of next winter.”

The main Abergwyngregyn to Tai’r Meibion scheme, which includes enlarging drainage culverts under the A55 to improve flood water flow, will continue.  It is currently in the planning stage, which could involve a public inquiry, and work is due to start in the autumn of 2017.    

The accelerated advanced drainage scheme will help alleviate flooding issues in the meantime.

 

Channel website: http://gov.wales

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