‘We won’t give up until work starts on bypass’
VILLAGERS sick of a heavily congested road have vowed to keep on protesting until work starts on a long-awaited bypass.
More than 50 people lined the A487 at Bontnewydd, near Caernarfon yesterday morning to express their anger about the delay to building the six-mile long relief road which was due to be completed this year.
They lined the road waving placards and called for Transport Minister Ken Skates AM to take action to ensure work on the £90m road – which is now two years behind schedule – finally gets started.
The bypass is expected to bring relief to Caernarfon and the villages of Bontnewydd and Dinas, which have to put up with long traffic queues every day, especially during the morning and evening rush hours.
The protest, which was monitored by two police officers, was peaceful and ended soon after 9am. Many motorists voiced their support by hooting their vehicle’s horns.
Protesters waved signs which said: “Come on Ken. Bypass Now!”; “C’mon Ken, Get Your Skates On” and “Bypass When?”.
One protester told the Daily Post: “We’ll continue to protest until we get a start on the work.
“The holiday season hasn’t started yet and then the delays are 10 times worse.”
Residents said at peak times in the morning and afternoon it can take 10-15 minutes to get from their homes to the road and longer to clear the village.
Yesterday’s protest was attended by both Arfon AM Siân Gwenllian and Hywel Williams MP as well as local councillor Peter Garlick.
Ms Gwenllian said: “We’re concerned about the huge delay with the start of work on the bypass.
“It should have been opening this summer but the contractors are still not on site.
“This is not acceptable. People in this area are fed up at the time this is taking.
“And they are frustrated that there is no news at all about why there is a delay.
“Has the money run out? We don’t know. I hope not and that we will get an announcement in the near future with a proper timetable so that we all know that the bypass is going to be built.
“It’s much needed so please Welsh Government, tell us when work is going to start.”
The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.