Work to address issues at Crown Crossroads in Llay to being in 'next few months'

Residents had raised concerns about the safety of the Crown Crossroads in Llay as traffic congestion increased due to housing developments in the area.

It led to supermarket chain Aldi saying it would put pans for a new supermarket in Llay on hold until the issue was resolved by Wrexham Council.

In June, Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton met with residents in Llay to hear their thoughts on the lack of action on the proposed upgrade to the crossroads at the intersection of Gresford Road, Straight Mile and Chapel Lan .

She heard how residents were frustrated and concerned at the fact that the promised upgrades had not yet happened, causing congestion and air pollution issues at the junction.

Sarah Atherton MP talks with residents in Llay

Following the consultation, Ms Atherton wrote to the Chief Executive of Wrexham County Borough Council, to outline the frustrations of Llay residents, to call the council to action “as a matter urgency” and to take “a lead in supporting residents”.

Now the council has responded by saying work will get underway "in the next few months".

The authority added that the council was working with Aldi on "technical approval" that would allow the improvements to move forward and the developers to begin work.

Ms Atherton says she now intends to meet property developers, Anwyl and Bellway, at the site to discuss the next steps in the development, as well as with Aldi to hear about its plans for Llay.

Crown Crossroads as the development

Ms Atherton said: “I am pleased that Wrexham Council have now responded to my correspondence with them following the consultation I held with those affected by the situation at the Crown Crossroads.

"Nonetheless, it is now vital that the council follows through on their assurances with action and works quickly to complete what they need to do to ensure that the infrastructure upgrades can go ahead.

"I know that many in Llay are tired and frustrated by the saga, so the sooner this is completed the better and I will continue to stand on the side of Llay residents to make sure this happens.”

In a reply to the Wrexham MP, Darren Williams, the council's Chief Officer Environment and Technical, said: "I would like to offer some reassurance that the Crown crossroads will be undergoing the agreed improvements over the next few months. As a Highway Authority, we are in the final stages of agreeing 'technical approval' for the improvements, which will allow developers, Anwyl and Belway, to undertake the necessary works on the highway.

"There will be some additional minor improvements undertaken as part of the Aldi store development in this area, and we are working closely with Aldi to grant technical approval for these improvements."

A spokesman for Aldi said they did not want to comment at this time.