TRAFFIC "chaos" caused by the closure of the A483 has led to questions being asked about the progress on Newbridge Road. 

The B5605 link road between Cefn Mawr and Chirk has been closed for three years since a landslide during Storm Christoph in January 2021. 

£2.8m funding was secured by Wrexham Council from Welsh Government in April 2022, with hopes that residents' frustrations over the prolonged road closure would soon end. 

The tender was announced in June 2023, which further prompted hopes that the saga would come to an end, yet there has been no update since. 

CREDIT: JACK EVANS

After the A483 and A5 roads were closed due to forecasted high winds on Tuesday night (January 23) during Storm Jocelyn, the effects of the Newbridge closure hit home. 

The diversion through Llangollen sparked traffic chaos, with motorists queuing for hours. There were also huge delays faced by drivers diverting through Overton. 

The frustrations caused by the traffic problems has sparked questions from residents and Members of the Senedd.

The Leader: Newbridge Road.Newbridge Road.

One Chirk resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "The bypass was closed due to high winds over the Chirk bridge, I understand the reasons behind this, but traffic used to be diverted through Newbridge.

"Wrexham Council has had the money to repair this for almost two years now, but still the repairs haven't been done.

"This means that people have to queue in traffic for two hours because traffic is diverted through Llangollen, it's not fair on the people of Llangollen and commuters.

"I could have just enough fuel to make my journey, but instead I'm having to travel miles out of my way in a traffic queue for hours, I may not get paid for another few days, in this case, I would be in trouble.

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"I think someone should be asking where has the money gone and an inquiry should be launched. Someone needs to be asking questions."

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates said he is inundated with queries and questions from constituents over when work is set to start on the road. 

Mr Skates added: “I raised this matter with the council yet again last week. With the recent storms causing road closures, it has reiterated the urgent need for the road to be reopened and residents are getting more and more frustrated at the lack of information.

“It’s now almost two years since the Welsh Government confirmed funding of £2.8m to fix this – in addition to the grants it had already given to the council for investigations and exploratory work. People are asking me why nothing appears to be happening and where the money has gone.

“I’m sure the council is working hard on this behind the scenes, but my constituents need answers.”

Councillor Terry Evans, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “A contractor has been appointed to carry out the repairs to the Newbridge Road and we hope to have a further public update in the near future.

“We recognise the problems road users face due to the closure of this road but can assure everyone that we are progressing everything as quickly as possible.”