£68million improvements to A477 brings benefits to the economy, tourism and local communities
16 Apr 2014 04:09 PM
A
£68million scheme to improve the A477 between St Clears and Red Roses has
been officially opened by Transport Minister Edwina
Hart
The new road will
improve safety and journey times along the busy route which, together with the
A40, forms part of the Trans European Road Network linking West Wales with the
rest of Europe. The route is also the main access to the tourist
destinations of south Pembrokeshire, including Tenby and Saundersfoot, as well
as ferry traffic to and from the Republic of Ireland using the port at Pembroke
Dock.
Opening the new
highway, Mrs Hart said:
“I am very
pleased to be able to open this important new road. As well as being part of a
vital trans-European road network, this improved section of the A477 will
provide more efficient road connections to the important tourism and energy
enterprises in Pembrokeshire, and enable more effective connections with
Ireland via Pembroke Dock. This project also brings many other benefits to road
users and local people by improving road safety, creating bypasses for
Llanddowror and Red Roses and providing new walking and cycling routes.
“Improving our transport infrastructure is critical to improving
Wales’ economic competiveness and this new road is another example of the
Welsh Government’s commitment to that aim. I congratulate everyone
involved on the delivery of this improvement project, which I am sure will be
appreciated by many in years to come.”
The new section
consists of 8.7km of new road between Pont Newydd Bridge, east of Llanddowror,
and Red Roses, and a further 0.9km of improvements between Pont Newydd Bridge
and the St Clears roundabout.
Over half the
length of this section will now carry three lanes offering overtaking
opportunities in both directions. The project includes the construction of 17
structures (bridges, underpasses and culverts) to maintain the local highway,
public footpath, equestrian network and protect wildlife. A foot and cycle path
has also been built to link the communities of St Clears and
Llanddowror.