A JUNCTION linking a busy shopping park with the A55 needs improving, according to a North Wales MS.

Sam Rowlands MS has called on the Welsh Government to consider improvements at junction 36a near Broughton retail park.

At present, motorists travelling to or from England can make use of a slip road at junction 36a which links the popular shopping centre with the A55.

Meanwhile, motorists coming from other parts of North Wales are directed on a longer route through residential parts of Broughton.

In a letter to Julie James, Welsh Minister for Climate Change, regarding junction 36a, Mr Rowlands said: "Only traffic to and from England can join or leave from this junction, whilst traffic bound for the rest of Wales needs to travel to junction 38 in England or through Broughton to join the A55 at junction 36.

“Junction 36A is the nearest junction to Broughton Shopping Park, which receives a large number of visitors from Wales. They currently have to travel along the A5104, through Broughton or along the B5125, through Hawarden to access the shopping park."

He asked whether Welsh Government had given any consideration to the improvement of junction 36A to allow traffic from Wales to access Broughton Shopping Park without creating unnecessary congestion in Broughton or Hawarden.

Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, said that the Welsh Government’s recently announced freeze on new road building projects meant that improvements wouldn’t even be considered.

He said: "As you are aware we have announced a freeze on all new road schemes as part of our efforts to reach our NetZero climate change targets.

"Transport generates around 17% of all our emissions, so must play its part if we are to reach our target of net zero emissions by 2050. We need to move away from spending money on projects that encourage more people to drive, and redirect this money on maintaining our existing roads and investing in real alternatives.

"We recognise that these decisions throw up tensions, but we have to confront that if we’re going to make a real difference.

"We’re not saying this is the end of road construction in Wales, but the panel of experts will ensure that this is no longer the default response to a transport problem.

"We need fewer cars on our roads, more people using public transport and more walking or cycling. As such, there are no plans to change junction 36a at present."

Mr Rowlands added: "It’s disappointing that the Welsh Government won’t even consider improving an existing road junction on part of their road network in North Wales. This is despite some new road building projects going ahead in South Wales.

"I am also surprised that the Welsh Government won’t consider a proposal to direct road traffic, and the emissions it creates, away from residential areas where it’ll have a greater impact upon the health and wellbeing of my constituents.”