South Wales East Member of the Welsh Parliament and shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Asghar, has called on the Welsh Government to make a statement on plans to close the A465 Gilwern to Brynmawr Road for six weekends over the summer.
Natasha Asghar made the call during the Business Statement in the Senedd on June 15th after hearing concerns about the impact of the closure programme on residents and businesses in Gilwern.
Natasha Asghar said: “Last Friday, I met with Monmouthshire Councillor Jane Pratt and local businesswoman Faye Bromfield who expressed their concern on behalf of residents and businesses about plans by the Welsh Government and Costain for six weekend closures of the A465 between Gilwern and Brynmawr during the Summer.”
“This will create utter chaos for visitors and local residents and anyone passing through the area on what is now a very important route to West Wales.”
“If these six full weekend closures go ahead they will have a profound effect on tourist traffic as many UK residents are taking their holidays in Wales and this route to the popular West Wales beaches and Brecon Beacons will be very busy.”
“There is has been no consultation with local people on this issue and no guarantee has been provided to local businesses that they will be compensated for the damage done to their businesses buy this programme of closures.”
“Welsh Government officials could not confirm which weekends the A465 would be closed and it would be desirable that the closures were made after the Summer holidays and the scheme extended as it is already 3 years over time and another few weeks avoiding the Summer holidays would be far better.”
Local businesswoman, Faye Bromfield, commented: “We were horrified when Councillor Jane Pratt informed us that Welsh Government and Costain were intending to close the A465 for 6 full weekends over the Summer season. Businesses like ours are only just getting back on their feet after the pandemic and this will have a terrible impact on local businesses with no financial compensation from Welsh Government to date.
“In addition we have also suffered along with local residents as the surrounding lanes that pass our homes just cannot cope with the size and volume of traffic especially during what will be a key Summer holiday period.”
“Local people feel that there is a complete lack of regard or care for the lives and safety of residents and they feel imprisoned in their homes during these closure weekends.”
“Residents suffer verbal abuse, excessive litter and have even been hit by cars whilst accessing their properties and their boundary walls and fences have been damaged and knocked down.”
“These six proposed road closures just cannot go ahead.”
