20 April 2010 11:10

Green Light for £20 million Link Road Scheme

Wrexham Councillors and Officers were delighted to receive the good news they had waited so long to hear, when the Minister announced his decision today that the Industrial Access Roads scheme should proceed towards construction.

Wrexham Councillors and Officers were delighted to receive the good news they had waited so long to hear, when the Minister announced his decision today that the Industrial Access Roads scheme should proceed towards construction.

This was the final confirmation which had been awaited since last October's Public Inquiry into the Compulsory Purchase Orders and Side Road Orders for each of the northern and southern access roads. The Welsh Assembly Government had earlier in the year confirmed its commitment to continuing funding for the development of the scheme through the 2010/11 financial year.

The announcement now clears the way for construction of the access roads. Contractors wishing to tender for the works have already been invited to express their interest and this will result in the selection of a short list of those who will, in June, be invited to submit tenders for the construction work. Main works construction should commence in spring 2011 and the new roads should be open to traffic in summer 2012.

The opportunity will be taken to carry out advanced works in late summer this year, to protect the habitats of wildlife species, install fencing and clear the site. It is also hoped that the diversion of some public utilities' apparatus can take place this year to clear the way for the main works contract.

A delighted Leader of the Council, Aled Roberts, and the Council's Lead Member for Transport Councillor David Bithell both stated, "We are thrilled that the Industrial Estate will at last be given the improved access it desperately needs. This will give a much-needed boost to one of the largest industrial estates in Europe, making its businesses more competitive. It will open up the door to expansion and make the estate more attractive to new businesses. This, in turn should secure existing jobs and create new opportunities for employment. The scheme will also improve the local environment and make local roads safer. This is a great day for Wrexham."

Councillor Bithell, added, " I am so pleased that the Assembly Government has expressed its confidence in Wrexham and in the Industrial Estate in particular through its continued funding of the scheme and I want to record my thanks to them for that. I am pleased too that the Minister found the case that Wrexham made for the confirmation of the Orders was justified and I thank him for his deliberation and the Officers of Wrexham for their hard work. We should now all look forward with confidence to the next phase in the life of the Industrial Estate"

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