Accident blackspot 'is on Assembly radar'

The A483, including the section between the Gledrid and Halton roundabouts north of Oswestry, will be included in the Assembly's review of major roads in the Principality.

It comes after a series of fatalities and serious crashes on the route in recent years, including one last month when two brothers driving a tractor were left perilously close to the edge of the bridge across the River Ceiriog following a crash.

Edwina Hart, the Assembly's Transport Minister, has responded positively to a response by Clwyd South AM Ken Skates for the road to be considered in a future review.

Mr Skates wrote to Mrs Hart last week to ask whether there are any plans to alleviate congestion and improve safety on the route.

He said although the A55, which links Bangor and Anglesey to Chester along the North Wales coast, would tale precedence, he had been assured the A483 would form part of the discussion.

Mr Skates said: "The Chirk McDonald's (Halton) is one of the busiest in Britain and the roundabout acts as an entry point to the Dee Valley, as well as one of two access points for Chirk, so congestion at rush hour can be considerable.

"It's a known pinch-point where there have been problems for a long time, and I know the traffic can be extremely frustrating for my constituents and thousands of other commuters."

Ms Hart's response states that the Welsh Government's Draft National Transport Plan "includes a commitment to review issues on the motorway and trunk road network".

Mr Skates said: "While the A55 will have priority, the Minister informs me that she will then be considering other routes such as the A483.

"I welcome this key commitment from the Welsh Labour Government. Clearly, the improvements can't – and won't – happen overnight, but the assurance that the A483 will form part of the plans for improving road infrastructure is excellent news.

"I only wrote to the minister last week, and I thank her for her quick response. I'm delighted that this matter is on the radar."

Whenever there is an accident between the Gledrid and Halton roundabouts, traffic has to be diverted through Chirk, causing long tailbacks.

Maintenance of the road, which crosses the border between English and Wales when it crosses the river, is split between the Welsh Assembly and the Department for Transport.