Traffic bottleneck on the A465 approach to Hirwaun Roundabout from Merthyr,
Following many posts on social media highlighting the traffic bottleneck on the A465 approach to Hirwaun Roundabout from Merthyr, the question commuters were asking why is the A465 approach road reduced to a single lane. The traffic backs up from Hirwaun roundabout to Croesbychan Junction several times every day, the A465 is a Trunk Road and is the responsibility of the South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) an Agency working on behalf of the Transport and Strategic Regeneration division of the Welsh Government. It is responsible for Managing, Maintaining and Improving the strategic road network in South Wales.
Local residents have complained to Vikki Howells, who is the Welsh Labour Assembly Member for Cynon Valley the Assembly Member in response said,
“I agree the Hirwaun roundabout is not fit for purpose. It will be replaced by a new roundabout slightly to the west when the A465 section 5-6 is dulled, with work scheduled to start on this section late 2019. Plans show this roundabout will have ample capacity”
Completion of this new section of trunk road is not until the end of 2022 but that’s just an estimate the contract may overrun, this is 5 years away, commuters an road haulage companies and local residents need improvement in the short term. The approach road is wide enough for a two-lane approach to the roundabout as other approach roads the A4059 have two lanes on approaching the roundabout.
The question is will the Assembly Member for Cynon Valley push for improvements or is she content to wait for over 5 years until something is done? The Cynon Valley Assembly Member sits on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee
With new developments and increasing traffic on our roads, something needs to be done in the short term.
