SENIOR councillors are hopeful a major overhaul of the county’s road network could be on the cards.
The A55 and the A548 coast road are stifling Flintshire’s economic growth and need redeveloping, according to community leaders.
A major study commissioned to look at improving transport links throughout the region is due to be published in November and among the measures being called for by councillors include a Flint bypass and the development of the A548 into a trunk road to serve the growing trade at Mostyn Docks.
Deputy council leader Tony Sharps said: “We’re hoping the study may contain suggestions about Queensferry bridge and congestion there and Aston Hill and also the A548.
“The A548 and the A55 are really bad. A caravan only has to have a puncture and the whole of North Wales turns to gridlock.
“We’re concerned about the feeder roads to Mostyn docks. It’s very busy by the docks now they’re taking all the windfarm parts and Airbus wings. The economy is a big priority. I’m hoping they will come up with something suitable.”
Mostyn councillor Patrick Heesom told a meeting of the council’s environment overview and scrutiny meeting: “We currently have massive problems with our highways in Flintshire. The A55 is not serving the needs of Flintshire and what have we got otherwise – the A548.”
He said development of the A548 was needed to serve the growth of trade at Mostyn docks.
He said: “The real crux is the A548 and if we do not address that the potential for investment in this authority is that much worse. Mostyn docks are vital to economic regeneration. It’s not going to be cheap but it’s going to cost a lot more the more you put it off.”
Cllr Matt Wright, Flintshire’s executive member for regeneration, said: “I think we’ve done very well traditionally in Flintshire because we’ve got good access but we’re beginning to get left behind.
“These big projects are Welsh Government funded and nothing much has happened since the A55 and even that is congested most of the time.
“I think we desperately need more investment in infrastructure. Things like this are so important – look at how the A55 has helped North Wales.”
Carl Longland, Flintshire Council’s director of environment, said he was looking forward to seeing the results of the transport study.
“I don’t know whether it’s going to be moving to a rail-based approach or whether it will be road based,” he said. “I don’t know what it’s going to be but when we find out we can look at what we can do to improve things in the county.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The study looks at ways of improving connectivity throughout North East Wales considering all modes, including highways, rail, buses, walking and cycling. Welsh Government officials are still working closely with Taith officers to bring the study to a conclusion.”