Road changes are welcomed by businesses

BUSINESSES say there is “light at the end of the tunnel” after a council agreed changes to roadworks which caused massive tailbacks at a South Wales roundabout.

There has been large-scale public opposition to the works at Pwyll-yPant roundabout – Caerphilly’s biggest roundabout – which began in October.

While the works added hours to commuters’ journeys, many business owners in Caerphilly were concerned there would be dire consequences for their companies over the Christmas period.

A petition was set up calling on Caerphilly council to abandon the works, with 7,000 people giving their signature.

The council agreed to provide additional funding to reopen two lanes around the roundabout and its key approaches during the Christmas period but there were concerns this would not be enough to alleviate the concerns of commuters and businesses.

But now Caerphilly council has confirmed it is working with its contractor and the Welsh Government to agree significant changes to traffic management at the roundabout, known locally as the Cedar Tree roundabout.

The revised plan will see the reintroduction of single lane traffic from January 8 for a period of eight to 10 weeks, then the scheme will be open to twolane traffic for the rest of the works.

Leader of the council Coun David Poole said: “We have been listening to the concerns of local businesses and the feedback from the wider community about the impact of these essential works. Therefore we are working with the Welsh Government to agree a package of joint funding which will allow us to change the schedule of work. This will be a significant change to the original plans and shows that we are responding to the concerns of the community.”

As a result of the changes, the overall duration of the works is likely to extend.

Sarah Bruton, owner of Captiva Spa located next to Pwyll-y-Pant roundabout and part of campaign group Keep Caerphilly Moving, said: “It’s fantastic. We are really pleased they have listened to peoplen. It gives businesses a light at the end of the tunnel.”