Janet Finch-Saunders AM, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has called on the Welsh Government to ensure a full and open consultation process is undertaken with regards to the improvement works to Junctions 15 and 16 on the A55.
It is understood that the works are likely to involve the removal of the roundabouts at these junctions.
The process has already fallen behind schedule, with the Welsh Government’s website stating that ‘public information exhibitions would be held in early 2017’, but a recent WAQ response to the Member advising that these would now be held ‘towards the end of the year’.
Janet said:
“The Welsh Government has already delayed on holding its promised Public Information Exhibitions. Whilst I am pleased to note that they will be forthcoming later this year, it remains of real concern that the Cabinet Secretary himself is unable to provide a solid timeframe for the consultation to start.
“It is essential that consultation on these works, which are set to affect so many local residents and businesses, is open, transparency and accessible to all.
“The Welsh Government must be able to demonstrate how they have taken the views of all those affected into account before commencing any works in this area.”
Notes:
According to the Welsh Government’s website:
“How we are consulting
We held stakeholder workshops in July 2008.
We hope to hold public information exhibitions in early 2017 once an ECI contractor has been appointed.
Next steps
We will be appointing an ECI contractor in autumn/winter 2016.”
[Link: http://gov.wales/topics/transport/roads/schemes/a55/junction-15-junction-16/?lang=en]
FOR ANSWER BY
THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ON 11 OCTOBER 2017
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on progress with regards the improvement works to junctions 15 and 16 on the A55, to include details of the public consultation, and a detailed timetable for development, consultation, design and construction? (WAQ74330)
Ken Skates: We recently appointed Carillion as the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contractor to progress the improvements of Junctions 15 and 16 on the A55. Over the next 18 months we will be progressing the design development of both junctions which will include public consultations. We are planning to hold Public Information Exhibitions towards the end of the year where further details of the programme for delivering the junction improvements will be presented.