When is A55 going to be completed?

CONCERNS have been raised over a lack of progress over plans to “finish off” a section of the A55 that leads into Wales’ busiest ferry port.

In 2015, Ministers at Cardiff Bay pledged to look at improving the road link between the western terminus of the A55 expressway and Holyhead port, following intervention from the island’s Assembly Member.

But this week, Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth once again raised concerns in the Senedd over a lack of progress, adding that the current road designation not only encourages congestion but also raises road safety issues in the Black Bridge and Victoria Road areas of the town.

He’s previously expressed fears that the area could become an accident blackspot as port traffic competes with local traffic as the A55 merges near Victoria Road.

In the Senedd last Tuesday, he asked the First Minister: “The A55 was built to the port area, but not into Holyhead port itself.

“There are now two and a half years since the previous economy minister confirmed that work would take place to try and realise plans to improve the connection between the A55 and Holyhead Port, where there can be major congestion issues, especially when there are a number of lorries trying to exit the port.

“People often ask me when we’ll see this work completed, and I share their concerns over these delays.

“The original connection was never finished, the A55 was constructed to join the port vicinity, but not the port itself.

“I realise we need other investment, including repairs to the breakwater, but what assurances can we receive this work will be carried out as soon as possible?”

Anglesey Council has already carried out initial discussions with thr Welsh Government over a redrawing of the road layout near Holyhead port, which would see vehicles leaving the port being diverted from Salt Island down Victoria Road, instead of the current arrangement.

In the First Minister’s response in the Senedd, he pointed to the work being carried out in reference to a third Menai crossing, which he expects to be in place by 2022.

But a spokesman for the Welsh Government, regarding to Holyhead’s traffic concerns, this week told the Mail: “We are working closely with Stena and the local authority to identify investment opportunities within the Port that would improve transport links and create employment opportunities as well as promoting tourism.”