Transport secretary Ken Skates talks A55, 20mph and flooded roads

The Transport Secretary has voiced his frustration at drivers who used flooded roads during the recent Storm Bert and spoke about future investment on the A55. Ken Skates MS was speaking as he visited North Wales to thank traffic management staff in Conwy for their efforts during the "multi-hazard" weather which brought snow, rain and strong winds to the region.

North Wales Live took the opportunity to ask Mr Skates, who is Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, about what motorists think are the most pressing issues - including coping with flooding, tackling potholes on the A55 and Menai Suspension Bridge repairs.

Visiting the North Wales Traffic Management Centre, Ffordd Sarn Pari, Conwy, Mr Skates said he was there today to thank staff "for everything they did over the weekend in monitoring the situation cross the strategic road network and also in responding to incidents - landslips, accidents and so forth. They really did an amazing job in preparing for the storm and responding to it rapidly."

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Questions to Ken Skates:

Weather warnings

On whether a Yellow weather warning in Storm Bert was sufficient in North Wales, Mr Skates said: "Lessons are going to be learned and I'm sure all partners are going to be reviewing preparations for the storm and the response to it.

"For my part, I feel that on Transport, we were aware of it, we prepared for it and we responded to it very efficiently and effectively. There were ten closures across the strategic road network and the teams right across Wales responded to those incredibly quickly. Where temporary measures are (still) in place it's because water is too high to remove them."

He said traffic officers reported incidents and changes in circumstances on trunk roads to the centre as the weekend went on.

Flooded roads

He said he shares North Wales Police's frustration when drivers ignore Road Closed signs on smaller, flooded roads.

He said: "There are Road Closed signs there for a reason: There's work taking place which prevents traffic from using that road, it's flooded or an incident has occurred or there's been a landslide. People should show responsibility not just to themselves but to their community and other road users by not being tempted to drive down roads that are closed."

A55 improvement works

Mr Skates said: "We want to make sure that we fill potholes and that we renew, as fast as possible, key sections of our road network. And the A55 is right there at the top. It's the most important road in terms of economic benefits in North Wales. So we need to make sure that it is maintained to the highest standard possible.

"We had 14 years of austerity - the economy being crashed - and we've now had a Budget that has released considerable amounts of funding to the Welsh Government to take action in responding to under investment historically. And that's what we intend to do in regards to the A55."

Mr Skates said the First MInister Eluned Morgan MS undertook a listening exercise over the summer and concluded 'We have to fix our roads and better connect our communities,' and "that's what we're going to do".

He added: "The longer that it's left and the more temporary fixes that you apply to a pothole actually the bigger the job becomes in the long run. So we want to move forward with whatever resource we can utilise to improve our road's potholes."

Mr Skates said he is looking at the "entire stretch" between Anglesey and the border with England. "We monitor the entire road network for its condition and sections of road in the most critical condition are marked red and it's those we prioritise funding for.

"But I can assure you that in North Wales there are roads that need fixing and we're going to be fixing them, including key routes - A55, A494, A483."

He added that the UK Government has released an extra £1.7 billion (in the Budget) to Wales for all areas of Welsh Government activity. He said: "It includes health and education but it also includes transport. So we're looking at how we can best use additional sums that are allocated from the centre in Welsh Government.

"Discussions are taking place within Government which we will be presenting next month."

Menai Suspension Bridge timetable

Repairs are due to resume on the Menai Suspension Bridge in March next year to be completed in time for the 200th anniversary of the world famous structure, which opened on January 30, 1826. Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, however, has voiced concern about lane closures at weekends aswell as weekdays from next March.

Mr Skates said: "That's the plan - to have it completed in time for a pretty important anniversary for the bridge. We consulted very widely with communities and businesses over temporarily lifting restrictions (until repair work resumes in March, 2025).

"If it transpires that communities and businesses would prefer not to have that temporary opening - and instead see the work carry on through the winter and over Christmas - then of course we would consider such a call.

"But a decision was made off the back of considerable engagement with communities and businesses who wanted it open temporarily particularly over the Christmas period rather than have restrictions at what is a really important time of year across multiple sectors."

Future of Llanerch Bridge between Trefnant and Tremeirchion

The Welsh Government is funding ground investigation work but would WG fund the replacement of the bridge itself? Mr Skates said a National Transport Delivery Plan covers projects for big, strategic roads.

But councils will bid for funding for projects on local roads. He said he would come back with an answer about any long-term plans for the bridge. But he did say: "In ordinary circumstances once a project has been given the green light then it is delivered in full."

Last week WG told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Denbighshire County Council have been awarded £750,000 in 2024-25 from the Resilient Road Fund to take forward design work on a replacement to Llanerch Bridge."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Denbighshire county council are currently in receipt of Resilient Road Fund to take forward design work this financial year. We are currently inviting applications from local authorities for the Resilient Road Fund in 2025-26 and decisions will be taken after the Welsh Government budget is published."

20mph speed limit reviews

Local authorities are reviewing 20mph speed limits after opposition to slower speeds on some roads. Mr Skates said: "North Wales councils have been incredibly effective in consulting with residents over changes and we're now seeing Traffic Regulation Orders being applied for.

"So it's really heartening to see councils responding to the public in such an effective and efficient manner. Where 20 works well it's proving its value in terms of driving down the number of collisions. But where it doesn't work, or it's safe to go back to 30mph, that will happen."