New delay in scheme to widen vital road
WORK to complete the widening of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road has been delayed by more than a year.
The section of the road was supposed to have been completed last month, but in April the Welsh Government said it would run into 2020.
The work between Gilwern, in Monmouthshire, and Brynmawr, in Blaenau Gwent, began in 2014.
A Welsh Government spokesman confirmed yesterday that the road will not be completed until the end of 2020.
But the eastern half of the road will be completed sooner.
They said: “The Welsh Government and Costain [the construction company] are reviewing the project with a view to complete it at the end of 2020.”
The spokesman added that the dualling of the A465 between Gilwern and Brynmawr was a “challenging and ambitious project.”
Members of the Welsh Conservative party have criticised the Welsh Government for the delay, calling the Labour-run government “incapable.”
Russell George, shadow minister for business, economy and infrastructure, said: “Another delay means more frustration for residents in the area, and everyone who uses the route.
“It adds many, many, minutes to each day’s commute or school run, holds up business and commerce, and means vehicles are creeping along, causing increased air and noise pollution.”
In November 2017 Welsh Transport Secretary Ken Skates admitted that converting five miles of the A465 to dual carriageway between Brynmawr and Gilwern was expected to cost almost £51m more than the previously expected £220m.
But the Welsh Government has said the latest delay would not have an impact on the overall cost of the scheme.
With the 11-mile section from Hirwaun to Dowlais Top set to come in at £500m, it means that the final price tag for widening the last 16 miles of the A465 now appears to be about £770m, excluding VAT, inflation and the costs of the private finance.
Adding to his criticism, Mr George said: “This is more evidence that the Labour-run Welsh Government is incapable of making a coherent road infrastructure policy and adhering to it.”
The road is part of the Welsh Government’s project to turn the whole road from Monmouthshire to Neath Port Talbot into a dual carriageway.
A spokesman for the Welsh Government added: “We remain very grateful to those living and working in the area for their patience while the works are ongoing.”