Flintshire Council may seek roadwork damages

Flintshire Council could ask for compensation due to the toll roadworks and diversions are taking on the county’s roads.

Lead member for Streetscene and Transportation, Llanfynydd Cllr Dave Hughes (Lab) said he would be willing to make the request of the Welsh Government after what has been described as two bank holiday weekends of traffic chaos in Flintshire.

The council’s environment and economy scrutiny committee met to discuss the region’s integrated transport strategy which maps out what the county’s priorities for the next five years, ranging from roads to walking and cycling routes and bus services.

In October all councillors will be asked to give their views as the strategy is put together, but Connah’s Quay Central Cllr Bernie Attridge requested for them to have a say earlier in light of the May bank holiday issues.

He said: “We’ve had two bank holidays where we’ve had complete and utter gridlock on Flintshire roads – Northop Hall, Flint, Connah’s Quay, Holywell have been absolutely gridlocked and we have the Minister who just rules no more roads.

“When things are moving so fast I think, if possible, we should meet earlier.

“Some of the stuff I’ve seen on Facebook, about how long people are waiting in the dip by the Coach and Horses (Flint Mountain) because people were trying to get on the coast road, people were trying to get in every lane. I heard someone was stuck in Oakenholt for three-and-a-half hours.”

Chief officer for Streetscene Katie Wilby said October had been chosen for the workshop so a joint committee of councils could be set up to feed into the strategy.

Argoed and New Brighton Cllr Hilary McGuill (Lib Dem) called on roadworks to be postponed during bank holidays.

“Flintshire is the main route to North Wales”, she said.
“Why can’t there be a moratorium on all roadworks during Bank Holiday weekends?

“I can’t understand why every Bank Holiday weekend there appears to be railways and roads. Do they not want people to move around and visit Wales?”

Buckley Pentrobin Cllr Dennis Hutchinson (Ind) talked about the strain on the Wrexham to Bidston line and how residents felt the bus replacement service was inadequate.

He said: “I really do believe people have been on the thin end of the wedge here, the transport system has been pathetic for quite a few months now and it’s not good enough.”

Cllr Hutchinson added he felt passengers had given up on the replacement bus service too.

Steetscene officer Ms Wilby said feedback about the service has been passed on in meetings the council has had with Transport for Wales.

Whitford Cllr Chris Dolphin (Eagle) revealed he had received notice of more disruption to come for motorists and residents, with further overnight closures of the A55 with diversions through Holywell planned for June.

He asked whether Flintshire Council received any compensation for the disruption and toll on the roads.

“At the present time there is a full closure of the A55 at night”, he said.

“How much is Flintshire being compensated for roads being massively damaged by these enormous wagons that come through?

“We can expect larger ones (wagons) in the future so we need to plan ahead, let alone the disturbance a lot of residents receive through a massive amount of noise through the night.”

Cllr Hughes said the authority did not receive any compensation but as lead member it was something he would be happy to take up with the Welsh Government.

“We don’t get anything”, he said.

“At the end of the day when these lorries come round our roads they are causing damage, leaving us with potholes and everything else to do, so we do need money off the Welsh Government.

“I’m quite happy to do that.”

The scrutiny committee agreed to support the priorities within Flintshire County Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy.

By Rory Sheehan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).