CAMPAIGNERS opposed the construction of a four lane highway across ancient Flintshire woodland and farmland have welcomed the outcome of 18 months of deliberations by the Senedd's Petitions Committee.

The petitions committee has called for the Flintshire Corridor scheme, known as the Red Route, to be halted for changes in traffic flow due to changing commuting patterns associated with Covid-19 and Brexit to be considered.

The committee also states that other traffic works, such as the introduction of smart technology and construction of the new A494 Dee Bridge and associated road widening, should be completed and the Senedd's Environment Committee should look at the full impacts of the scheme before work on it goes ahead.

The petition was raised in early 2019 by local residents in the Northop and Flint areas concerned about the impact on traffic around their communities and the poor consultation of the scheme. It attracted 1,409 signatures.

The Flintshire Red Route scheme will see a new 13km two-lane dual carriageway linking the A55 at Northop with the A494 and A550 north of Deeside Parkway Junction via the Flintshire Bridge, some of the road will cut through ancient woodland.

The Red Route was chosen ahead of an alternative Blue Route scheme following a 12-week consultation in 2017.

The Blue Route plan would have seen improvements along the A494 Aston Hill and the Ewloe interchange with the A55 without the need for a new road being built.

Over the past 18 months the petition has been considered six times by the petitions committee, which has taken evidence from a wide range of interested parties including the petitioners, Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates and Flintshire County Council.

In concluding its investigations, the committee has agreed unanimously to the demands of the petitioners that the scheme is paused whilst the full impact of the scheme is examined by the Sennedd's Environment Committee, and that the planning process to be started again using the new fit for purpose Welsh transport appraisal guidance (WELTAG) assessment process.

In welcoming the outcome, Flint farmer Robert Hodgkinson said: "I would like to thank the Petitions Committee members for all their hard work and for demonstrating common sense and fair play. We hope that the minister Ken Skates will now do the same."

Professor Tom Rippeth, chair of STAMP, the group leading the opposition to the Red Route, added: "Whilst we haven't yet stopped this dreadful scheme, it is clear from the committee's balanced approach in taking evidence, and the conclusion that they have come to, that it is not fit for purpose in the new post Covid world.

"This is a great result for Welsh Democracy but the battle goes on."

The news follows a recent call by Delyn MP Rob Roberts to scrap the Red Route plans altogether.

As an alternative to the Red Route, campaigners have asked for an extra crawler lane on the A55 from Northop towards Holywell.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "The possibility of providing additional lanes on the A55 from Northop towards Holywell will be investigated during the next stage of the development of the Flintshire Corridor scheme.

"This will include detailed assessments to confirm if any additional lanes provide value for money and offer demonstrable benefits to health and the environment.

"If they are required, the timing of construction will be considered as part of the overall programme of construction for the scheme, which could mean constructing the lanes before the Flintshire Corridor if it’s shown this would provide the most benefits.”