CONGESTION is set to be eased on some of Wrexham and Flintshire’s busiest roads.

Speaking to The Leader, newly appointed minister for North Wales, Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, who is also cabinet secretary for economy and transport, says he has plans to help unclog our roads.

All junctions of the A483 in Wrexham will be upgraded, work will also take place at the Halton roundabout and on the Queensferry bridge, while progress will continue to be made on the ‘Deeside corridor’.

Wrexham General and Ruabon train stations are set to be revamped into ‘transport hubs’, while a train station is also planned for Parkway on Deeside Industrial Estate.

Mr Skates said: “In the coming years we will look at progressing the Flintshire corridor scheme, relieving congestion on the A494, A55 and addressing problems there.

“We will undertake work on the Queensferry bridge and we aim to bring that project forward as soon as we possibly can to relieve congestion there and any structural issues.

“Near Wrexham we are looking at each junction of the A483, and the Halton roundabout.

“We want to take forward work on the bypass proposals to ease traffic at the Posthouse roundabout, working with Highways England and Cheshire West and Chester Council.”

He added: “We are looking at A roads and pinch points that are particularly problematic around Wales, any location where there is intense problems with congestion.

“It is particularly important that we cover roads that are not dualled but are used by commuters.

“With public transport we are considering improvements in rail infrastructure to improve stations and rail services.

“I have just submitted a White Paper for reforming bus services to address shortcomings there.

“We are looking to invest services not just in North Wales but across the border. We’ve got responsibility now for the English border too.”

In October, a brand new franchise, Transport for Wales, took over the running of the nation’s railways from Arriva.

Ushering in a new era of investment, the Welsh Labour Government outlined some of the many changes, totalling almost £5 billion, which are set to transform rail services over the 15-year contract period.

Mr Skates said that the Welsh Government were looking to introduce a number of new rail projects including at the parkway on Deeside Industrial Park.

“Only one per cent of people who work there currently get there by train”, he said.

“To increase the number will also be good for the environment.”

Mr Skates said that there were further station improvement plans in the pipeline for Shotton, and Ruabon – the latter of which, along with Wrexham General in the town centre, will be transformed into a transport hub.

He added that rail passengers can also look forward to an increase in the frequency of services under the new franchise.