Updates on A55 bridges where one has had 'temporary' traffic lights for 14 years

There was mixed news on repair plans for two bridges over the A55 where "temporary" traffic lights have been in place for up to 14 years. Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has previously challenged the Welsh Government over the extortionate amount of money spent on traffic lights at Primrose Hill bridge in St George, and the Sea Road Bridge in Abergele.

The ones at Primrose Hill have been in place since 2019 while at Sea Road Bridge they date back to 2010 as they await a full repair to be carried out. The total cost of having the temporary traffic lights at both locations now stands at almost £260,000.

Mr Millar recently submitted a Written Question to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates MS, asking when repair work will be completed and followed this up with a question in the Senedd.

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There was good news for Primrose Hill Bridge with Mr Skates saying work is programmed to be completed by March 2025. This will finally see the lights removed after what would be six years.

But on the other site the news was not as positive. The Cabinet Secretary said: “Sea Road Bridge is a considerably more complicated and costly engineering scheme, and at present, there are higher priorities elsewhere on the Strategic Road Network. Fixing our roads is a priority and we will progress this scheme at the earliest opportunity when funding is available.”

Mr Millar said: “Both Sam (Rowlands) and I have repeatedly called for these works to be carried out urgently, and whilst I welcome the fact that a date has now been given for the Primrose Hill works, it is disappointing that no date has been given for the works on the Sea Road bridge.

“The vast amount of money that has been spent on temporary traffic lights at both these locations over the years could have been put to better use had the Welsh Government acted faster and I am concerned that money will continue to be spent on the Sea Road lights as it is currently not considered a priority. As I have previously stated these lights were supposed to be temporary, yet the ones on Sea Road have been there for 14 years!

“I’m sure that residents are as frustrated as us that we are still waiting, and that such large sums of taxpayers’ money has been spent on these so called 'temporary' over the years. I look forward to seeing the works completed on the Primrose Hill bridge before the end of March, and in the meantime will continue putting pressure of the Cabinet Secretary to set a date for works on the Sea Road bridge.”

North Wales MS Sam Rowlands said: “I welcome news that work on the Primrose Hill bridge will be completed by the end of March, but like Darren I am disappointed and frustrated that we are still waiting for a date for the Sea Road improvements. As I have said in the past, the Welsh Government’s reluctance to act quickly on this matter provides further evidence that it has no shame when it comes to being wasteful with taxpayers’ money.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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