Stalled plan for bypass 'a scandal'

THE situation over stalled plans for a long-awaited Llanbedr bypass to ease traffic congestion has been described as "scandalous" by a council boss.

- By DALE SPRIDGEON

Cyngor Gwynedd’s leader, Cllr Nia Jeffreys, also expressed concern that the Welsh Government's investment in transport schemes in rural areas of Gwynedd was “completely inadequate and unfair”.

She was giving an update on discussions over the blighted project, whilst answering a question raised by the Harlech and Llanbedr Cllr Gwynfor Owen, during a full council meeting.

A £14m bypass for Llanbedr was initially approved in March 2020, but was cancelled in November 2021, in a review - costs for the road are now estimated at £32m.

A ‘low-speed’ road plan to “relieve pressure” on the village had been mooted previously with £400,000 on the cards for it to progress.

But then, it was announced by the government in June that funding applications would now need to be submitted to the Corporate Joint Committee for North Wales, made up of other local authorities, which had allocated £100m for the region’s transport.

Scores took to social media to vent their views and a Senedd Member, Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor, had called for the Welsh Government's “commitment” to the scheme.

The council website says it is currently “collaborating with partners” to identify a transport solution.