A POLITICIAN has hit out at the Welsh Government over its "strange" stance over repair works needed on a road in Wrexham that suffered a landslip.

North Wales Member of the Senedd, Mark Isherwood, has questioned the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, Lesley Griffiths, over funding to repair and reopen the B5605 between Newbridge and Cefn Mawr. The road has been closed since January due to a landslide which occurred during Storm Christoph.

The Leader:

Speaking in the Welsh Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Isherwood emphasised the need to carry out the repairs as soon as possible and questioned the Minister, Lesley Griffiths MS, over funding to do this.

Mr Isherwood said that when he wrote to the Welsh Government about the landslip, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change’s response in July stated that Wrexham Council’s funding application to the Welsh Government was unsuccessful because repair works "would not reduce the risk of flooding to properties and would only benefit the highway".

He said that he then received a letter from Wrexham Council’s environment and transport lead saying that it is anticipated to cost £1 million and the council is "concerned that without some support it will be unable to fund these storm related damages".

Mr Isherwood said: “Many people in these villages do not have cars, needing transport which involves walking miles to the nearest bus stops, or having to hire costly taxis.

“Earlier this month, the council confirmed that they had secured Welsh Government funding for advice from Geo-technical consultants and will be submitting a business case for Welsh Government funding."

Mr Isherwood questioned the Minister on how she responds to Wrexham Council's statement that "the biggest obstacle will be securing funding this financial year to enable us to plan and carry out the works as soon as possible".

In her response, the Minister said: “My understanding, when I last had a discussion around this issue with the deputy leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, was that they believed the ball was firmly in their court - and they were processing their application, so I don't recognise that.”

Mr Isherwood has described Miss Griffiths' response as "very strange" - after what Wrexham Council’s deputy leader had said about the obstacle of securing funding.

Cllr David A Bithell, deputy leader of Wrexham Council, said: “We are still awaiting the final report from our specialist geotechnical consultants.

"When we have this detail we will be in a position to determine a solution and will be requesting adequate funding from Welsh Government following Storm Christoph."