Build a motorway linking north and south Wales, Tories…

Build a motorway linking north and south Wales, Tories tell Welsh Government

The Welsh Government has been urged to consider proposals to create a motorway linking north and south Wales. At present, going from one end to the other of Wales takes more than four hours by car. Motorists wanting to make the journey face the option of a stop-start journey on country roads - or driving eastward into England and using the M5.

However, the Tories reckon Mark Drakeford's administration should give some serious thought about constructing a motorway from north to south - despite the huge costs to build it and the environmental impact.

Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders said that she was open to different options about the route - including along the border or down the centre of the country on a similar route to the A470. She added that currently people in Conwy face four to five hour road trips to reach Cardiff.

The Welsh Conservatives believe the option of a motorway or at least a "straight road" should at least be looked at as part of the transport strategy for Wales.

Ms Finch-Saunders said: “With the ridiculously poor and unreliable quality of rail services connecting Aberconwy to South Wales, and the Welsh Government having abolished the air link, the reality for my constituents and many across rural Wales, is that private cars are the most sustainable and feasible form of transport.

“Countless residents and I drove to the Royal Welsh this week, and we were all reminded yet again of how poor the highways are between north and south Wales, and the journey time is only going to get worse as we will be reduced to driving at 20mph through the countless communities between Conwy and Cardiff.

“If we want an economically stronger and more united Wales it is only reasonable to expect that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change would at least have undertaken assessments of the feasibility of having a straighter road or motorway linking North and South Wales. It is to the detriment of the people and economy of Aberconwy and Wales that the Welsh Government have no plan for a motorway connecting North and South."

Mrs Finch-Saunders wrote to the Welsh Government about the plan. However, she was told by deputy minister for climate change Lee Waters that a north-south motorway is not on the cards and the government aims to get more people off the roads and onto public transport.

Mr Waters, who previously ran transport charity Sustrans Cymru before going into politics, said: “A motorway connecting north to south Wales does not form part of the National Transport Plan nor would it comply with the stated objectives of Llwybr Newydd(the new transport strategy) to encourage mode shift to more sustainable forms of transport. No assessments have been undertaken."

Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Welsh Government is considering road tolls and a congestion charge for Wales. Its National Transport Delivery Plan 2022 - 2027 wants to move more people away from using their cars by making public transport "more effective and affordable", as well as encourage people to walk or cycle as well as bringing services and facilities closer to where people live.

However, the plans proved controversial for many - with motorists arguing it would disproportionately affect poorer drivers and those living in rural areas.

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