The A55 was closed in both directions due to a vehicle fire in the Conwy Tunnel yesterday (Thursday 19/06/2025). A crane lorry was destroyed in the blaze.
The westbound carriageway remains closed, but a contraflow system is now in place on the A55 eastbound carriageway of the Conwy Tunnel.
During the closure of the tunnel absolute traffic chaos was caused in communities along the diversion route.
Members of the public volunteered to try and help control traffic in Llanrwst, and communities including Conwy town, Llandudno Junction, Glan Conwy, Betws y Coed, Capel Curig, and Bethesda were gridlocked.
Highlighting that communities were unprepared for the traffic, Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS, said:
“I would like to thank the emergency services and members of the public who acted quickly and responsibly to ensure that the fire in the tunnel was kept under control, put out, and that lives were not lost. Like many in the community, I have heard that the driver of the crane lorry that was ablaze acted selflessly to the point that lives were likely saved.
“Major disruption on the A55 between Llandudno Junction and Bangor is not a one off. All of us living in the area know that major incidents happen time to time. However, what the gridlock showed last night is that communities were unprepared.
“I have heard from residents that every single community along the diversion route, along the A470 and A5, were gridlocked.
“For us locals, that there was such chaos is unsurprising, so major questions have to be asked as to why the authorities and North Wales Police left our communities unprepared.
“I am extremely grateful to the members of the community who volunteered to help manage the traffic, such as in Llanrwst, but serious questions must be asked such as where were North Wales Police in these crisis communities, why were PCSOs not assisting in crisis communities, why are there no community focused plans in place clearly setting out what actions all of us should be taking when our communities are encountering traffic crisis?
“For over two years I have been meeting with Welsh Government officials and Conwy County Borough Council highway officers to discuss traffic chaos when there are accidents or closures on the A55. We have got nowhere because there seems to be an unwillingness to act. That has to change”.
ENDS
Photo:
Janet Finch-Saunders MS
