A55 closed for more than 200 hours in Flintshire in last 12 months

Responding to a Written Assembly Question by Aberconwy AM, Janet Finch-Saunders, the Welsh Government revealed that sections of the A55 had been closed on a 55 occasions in 12 months.

In Flintshire, parts of the road were closed for the equivalent of almost 10 full days between March 2017 and January this year.

Carriageway between junction 31 at Caerwys and junction 32 Halkyn were closed on three occasions for resurfacing and once following a vehicle fire at a total of more than 187 hours, equating to more than seven full days.

The longest stretch of closure was for 12 nights between March 19 and 31 last year.

Between March and January this year, junction 35 at Dobshill was closed on three occasions, again twice for resurfacing for a total three nights and once for seven hours during a police incident in July.

Ms Finch-Saunders said: “These figures lay bare the cost of Labour’s failure to get to grips with upgrades to the A55.

“Despite the Cabinet Secretary’s promises, the A55 was closed for 2720 hours in the last 12 months.

“This is an essential trunk road for businesses, freight and holiday-makers across the north, who’ve been let down time and time again.

“Congestion costs the North Wales economy tens of millions of pounds each year, and the A55 is one of the primary causes of gridlock on our roads.

“Some of these closures would have related to road upgrades, but it’s frustrating that this is still happening every day.”

In his written response to the question, Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for economy and infrastructure, said: “Sections of the A55 have been closed 55 times since February 2017 for one hour or longer.

“This includes the DBFO section which runs from junction 1, Holyhead to junction 11, Llandygai.

“In addition, very short term closures of 20 minutes or less take place, as required, to allow recovery of vehicles, temporary repairs, debris collection, rounding up of stray animals and so on.”