Hannah Blythyn, Member of the Senedd for Delyn, has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of its decision to pause plans to build new roads, pending a review by an Expert Panel.
In at Statement to the Senedd the Deputy Minister for Climate Change outlined that all current proposals for new roads across Wales, would be reviewed by a new panel to deem whether or not they were the most appropriate solution to the transport challenges they are designed to tackle. The Deputy Minister will also ask the panel to consider setting a series of tests for future proposals to build new roads, inline with Llwybr Newydd, the Welsh Government’s latest transport strategy.
Included in the list of proposals to be reviewed is the so-called “Red Route” which was originally proposed in 2017 to help deal with traffic problems on the A55, but has met opposition from a number of communities and organisations.
Ms Blythyn recently made a firm commitment to opposing the proposals as she does not believe that they are the most appropriate solutions to the problems being faced in her constituency. This follows years of raising concerns on behalf of her constituents in writing, on the floor of the Senedd and even pushing the then Welsh Government to extend the consultation exercise wider to ensure her constituents’ concerns were heard.
Speaking after the statement the Delyn MS said:
“Since these proposals were first introduced I have worked with constituents to raise their concerns, and to push colleagues in the Welsh Government to consider more appropriate solutions to transport problems faced in our corner of the country.
Following the changes in transport patterns caused by the pandemic, the Welsh Government’s declaration of a climate emergency and the transport hierarchy introduced by Llwybr Newydd, it is only right that we take the opportunity to pause and reflect.
I will of course continue to listen to constituents’ concerns, and importantly their suggestions to solving the transport issues we face, as well as pushing for investment in public transport, including a new train station at Greenfield.”
In the coming weeks and months Ms Blythyn intends to carry out a transport survey to hear the views and experiences of her constituents, as well as exploring what options they believe should be available.
Working with the Greenfield Station Rail Action Group, Ms Blythyn previously secured investment in a feasibility study from the Welsh Government to progress plans to build a new train station in Greenfield, improving public transport options in the western part of Flintshire. Flintshire County Council has recently concluded a study into wider transport options in this part of the county and are expected to publish their findings in the near future.
The Welsh Government are also progressing plans for a potential crawler lane on the A55 at Northop and are currently undertaking stakeholder engagement to further explore the challenges faced by communities and if their proposals are suitable.
Anyone wishing to share their experiences or opinions with Ms Blythyn are encouraged to email her at Hannah.Blythyn@senedd.wales or call 01352762102.