The decision to close the crucial A465 between Gilwern and Brynmawr for six weekends needs reversing to release the stranglehold on the local economy, politicians have demanded.
Peter Fox, the Member of the Senedd for the Monmouth constituency, and Cllr Jane Pratt, who is Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, today met at the A465 in Gilwern.
Both politicians have described the short-sighted plans to close the arterial road for another five weekends as “a devastating blow”.
Mr Fox said:
“I am dismayed that right at the beginning of the summer period - a time of immense importance to traders - it’s been announced that this vital road will be closed for another five weekends.
“The first weekend of closure caused chaos - and I dread to think of other scenes emerging over the next five weekends.
“The decision to close the road at weekends is creating a stranglehold on key pillars of the local economy - notably leisure and tourism - at a time where businesses are struggling with the long-term effects of COVID-19.
“We need to see this short-sighted decision reversed, with closures taking place during non-peak periods on weekdays.”
And Cllr Pratt added:
“I have been told in no uncertain terms from distressed residents and local businesses, whom I represent locally, that we need to see urgent action.
“This is one of Wales’ main arterial roads and for that reason it’s ludicrous that the Welsh Government have picked the busiest time of the week - Saturdays and Sundays - to close it.
“Temporary closures need to, ideally, be during non-peak periods during weekdays.”
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Editors’ notes: Weekend closures - which are linked to maintenance work - are scheduled to come to an end on the last weekend of July.
