Hard-hit businesses are demanding that the Welsh Government fulfils its promise to provide much-needed financial support.
Ongoing works on the Heads of the Valley Road (the A465)—including in the summer 2021—meant that the arterial road, between Gilwern and Brynmawr, has been shut on many occasions. The decision prompted a wave of concern from businesses, which were then reassured by the Welsh Government that financial support would be provided to help mitigate financial losses.
But to date, those businesses are still in the dark as to whether they’ll get a glimpse of the promised support.
Fay Bromfield, who is the co-owner of Gilwern-based Bromfields family butchers and a Welsh Conservative Candidate for Llangybi Fawr, said:
“The Welsh Government promised us financial support, but this has been broken. Admittedly, the Welsh Government once sent representatives to meet with us, but they were the wrong officials – it was a classic example of the left hand not knowing what the right was doing.
“We have endured so much worry and anxiety, and it’s worse still because there is no ending in sight.
“The road closures have hit our business, as well as countless others, and we desperately need the compensation so we can use it to try to encourage lost customers back to our business.
Desmond Rogers, of the Brynmawr-based Rogers shoe business, said:
“My 102-year-old business is long standing, but even we were hit by the road closures. Other businesses are in a worse position and that’s why I want the Welsh Government to honour its word and help businesses in this area.”
Peter Fox, the Member of the Senedd for the Monmouth constituency, added:
“This is a distressing situation for businesses to be in and one that’ll require all stops to be pulled out to solve.
“We’ve seen enough erosion of our high streets, without the additional damage caused by work on the A465. It’s now incumbent upon the Welsh Government to sort out its act and get businesses back onto their feet.”
And Jane Pratt, the Councillor for Llanelly Hill and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Neighbourhood Services, echoed similar concerns, saying:
“What we’ve witnessed here is the complete disregard for local businesses and that’s unacceptable. This needs to be addressed quickly.
“If we can’t see fair play on something as profound an issue as this, then trust will never be restored in the Welsh Government.”
ENDS/
Editors’ notes:
Photo one shows (from left to right): Cllr Jane Pratt, Fay Bromfield, Richard Dixon (prospective councillor), Desmond Rogers and Peter Fox MS; photo two shows: Fay Bromfield inside her business.
