How A483 closure in Wrexham caused hours of "gridlock" and chaos

Traffic Wales confirmed on Tuesday morning that due to "unforeseen circumstances" there had been a delay in re-opening the A483 following major resurfacing works at Rossett.

It was understood that the road would be reopened at 6am - but it wasn't until around 2pm that a contraflow system was put in place for the southbound carriageway, with the northbound reopening an hour and a half later in a contraflow system.

During the hours of the full closure, severe congestion built up in the villages surrounding the affected site as commuters and parents attempted to find alternative routes to reach work and schools.

Frustrated and bemused residents took to social media to share their images of the bumper-to-bumper vehicles causing "gridlock" in their communities, as well as sharing their thoughts on the situation.

Traffic backed up at Marford Hill (Image: UGC)

READ MORE: NINE weeks of roadworks on the A483

Posting an image of backed up traffic near the Red Lion at the top of Marford Hill, Stephen Davies said: "Just to warn the good old folk of our villages, if you’re planning on using the bus today to get to Chester you may want to plan another form of transport due to the diversion traffic currently being diverted through on to main Chester Road."

Others took to the Leader's Facebook page to have their say.

Wendy Elson posted: "All surrounding villages in all directions are grid locked.

"If work is looking that it won’t get finished by a certain time, then it should be stopped and made safe for traffic to get through and start again at the time stated through the night."

The A483 between Gresford and Rossett during the closure (Image: Gavin Rodda) (Image: Gavin Rodda)

Bridget Bellamy said: "Well I will be using an alternative route into work for the foreseeable!"

Some raised concerns about potential disruption to travelling Wrexham fans heading to Sheffield that day.

And concerns were also voiced about the impact of the traffic on the work of police, ambulance and fire service crews.

One Twitter user posted: "My main concern is the delay to emergency services.

"There were a couple of emergency vehicles with lights on trying to battle their way down Wrexham Road this morning."

Image provided by Ant Shell, who attempted to avoid the closure by going through Caergwrle and Hope but found himself in this situation (Image: Ant Shell (Twitter))

Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for environment at Wrexham Council and ward member for Rossett, called on the North East Wales Trunk Road Agency (NEWTRA) to cease the works - which have been planned to continue for several weeks - until a "proper plan" has been put in place.

He added: "People are being stuck this morning, and I have had several residents who have missed urgent hospital appointments.

"At least one ambulance has been stranded with horns and sirens going, but it couldn't get through the traffic.

READ MORE: Senior councillor calls for A483 works to be halted until "proper plan" is made

"These are serious life and death matters and NEWTRA has not taken the responsible approach to these works.

"NEWTRA needs to put together a proper plan so people know in advance and can make alternative arrangements."

The precise reason for the lengthy delay in re-opening the road eight hours after the expected time has not yet been made clear.