£90m bypass ‘real boost to the area’

PUBLIC INQUIRY OPENS WITH GOVERNMENT URGING CASE

A NEW £90m bypass for Bontnewydd and Caernarfon would bring “real tangible benefits” to the area and further afield, a public inquiry heard.

The proposed route goes from the Goat roundabout on the A499/A487 junction in the south to the Plas Menai roundabout in the north.

Welsh Government official Christopher McNall told the first day of a public inquiry at the Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon that the new scheme would deal with the “pinch-point” of traffic at Bontnewydd.

Mr McNall said: “Whether this scheme goes ahead is a question that really matters to Caernarfon its neighbouring communities.”

He said the WG “welcomed” public scrutiny of the scheme, reflecting the importance of the inquiry to North Wales, Wales and beyond.

Mr McNall said it was a question of “balancing difficult competitive interests”.

He said that delivering “a modern efficient and resilient transport in a natural environment was never easy” but that the inquiry had to show that the decision-making was “balanced and principled.”

Mr McNally said the scheme was designed to carry forward national policy to support better transport links, improve health and safety, the economy and the environment and it would “connect people with jobs, housing and leisure and keep Wales moving.”

The improvements would benefit communities in Bontnewydd, Caernarfon, Llanwnda and beyond, he said, by “reducing congestion.”

Inquiry inspector Hywel Wyn Jones said they would be discussing three draft orders – one to “de-trunk” the existing road which will then be the responsibility of Gwynedd Council; an associated side roads order and a compulsory purchase order for rights over land.

There were around 50 members of the public present and 10 Welsh Government officials.

Mr Jones said they would be looking at all the possible routes, the human rights of those affected and if all the land is needed.

The case for the objectors will be heard in the second and third week with site visits planned during the fifth week.

CBI Wales director Ian Price has warned Caernarfon may have to wait another 10 years before a bypass can be built if the current scheme doesn’t get the go-ahead.

He said: “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 Wales 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.”