CALLS have been made for funding to be found to fix Newbridge Road as soon as possible, with new cracks discovered and traffic congestion causing problems.

A number of local politicians have called on the Welsh Government to find the funding to repair the B5605 road, which was damaged by a landslide during Storm Christophe earlier this year.

New cracks have been discovered in the road and Wrexham Council has said it is concerned, with the winter months fast approaching, and will be assessing the damage.

Lengthy delays 

Residents and local politicians alike have also expressed concern that the ongoing road closure is causing traffic congestion and lengthy delays in travelling around the area.

Cllr David Bithell, Wrexham's lead member for environment and transport, said: “Work continues to be assessed at Newbridge, however the road conditions are not getting better and some more cracks in the infrastructure have appeared. We continue to work with our specialist geotechnical consultants to assess the damage and come up with solutions.

“We continue to liaise with Welsh Government and have had meaningful discussions with officers over what is required. We have not yet received any assurances on funding, and we as a council continue to look lobby ministers and local politicians to secure funding.

“In the meantime the diversions remain in place and unfortunately we are unable to re-open part of the road for one way traffic at this time. This we know is causing significant inconvenience to local people and surrounding communities.”

High on the agenda

Cllr Bithell added: "I am in regular contact with Welsh Government ministers and have also raised the issue with MP Simon Baynes. This matter remains high on our agenda.

"We remain concerned that funding has still not been identified for works which are likely to take some time to complete once started.

"It‘s a situation which will only worsen as we head towards the winter months and I urge Ministers to identify funding as a matter of priority to avoid any further delays to repairing this vital piece of infrastructure for traffic and residents in the area."

The issue is also exacerbating traffic issues on the nearby A483, as residents and commuters are having to make lengthy diversions due to the road closure.

The Leader's photographer has taken photos, included in our gallery above, which demonstrate these issues.

We spoke to a number of local politicians to get their thoughts on the congestion issues caused by the ongoing road closure, with no funding from the Welsh Government's roads budget said to be available until 2022.

The Leader: Congestion on the A483Congestion on the A483

Ken Skates, Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South, said: “I remain in regular contact with the Welsh Government about this issue. While the remedial work required falls under the responsibility of Wrexham Council, the Minister has confirmed to me on several occasions that the Welsh Government is working with the council to try to help them find a solution.

“I have made clear to the Minister my firm belief that any planned roadworks in the area should be postponed until this matter is resolved, and I will continue to work with both the Welsh Government and Wrexham Council until we get there. I have also asked the Minister for assurances that this work will be prioritised should the Welsh Government be allocated additional funding from the next UK Government Comprehensive Spending Review, which the Welsh Government budget is dependent upon. I will share any update I receive from her with my constituents as soon as I can.”

Batting the matter back

Llyr Gruffydd, who is the Senedd Member for North Wales, has been pushing for a commitment from the Welsh Government to fund repairs to the road.

He said: "It's a concern that the Welsh Government seems to be batting the matter back to Wrexham Council, saying that it needs details of the funding costs. At the same time, it's saying flood repair funds are unavailable and that the road repairs fund isn't available until April 2022 at the earliest. This would mean these essential repairs to enable the road to re-open would probably take us well into 2023 - at a time when there are likely to be increasing road closures on the A483 Halton link that would mean traffic having to detour via Llangollen.

"It's unacceptable that there's been such a long wait to sort this out. It's an important link locally and has a strategic importance as a relief road when the A483 is closed. The Welsh Government must do better."

The Leader: Further cracks have been discovered on Newbridge Road. Photo: Wrexham Council Further cracks have been discovered on Newbridge Road. Photo: Wrexham Council

Clwyd South MP Sinon Baynes said: “The Welsh Government need to step up to the plate and provide immediate funding to repair the storm damage on Newbridge Road. This is their responsibility and theirs alone. They have funding from the UK government which they have not spent over the last 12 months so it is not sustainable for them to claim that they do not have the resources. The effect of this problem on Newbridge Road is felt across the area as traffic problems are caused elsewhere such as in Llangollen and need to be addressed by the Welsh government urgently.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are working with Wrexham Council to secure funding for this project.”