Member of the Senedd for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has raised concerns about further closures on the A465 road.
The main road, which runs from Neath to Hereford, has recently seen a vast section of road works finished between Neath and Abergavenny. These works have dualled the road along the stretch, with the initial phase beginning in 2002.
The specific section between Gilwern and Brynmawr, known locally as ‘Blackrock’ was due to finish in 2017, but did not officially finish until 2023, coming in over budget with a final cost of over £330 million, with the whole project costing some £2 billion and taking 23 years.
The residents in and around Abergavenny are now facing a new phase of frustration, with the road closed at night approaching the Hardwick roundabout, with traffic being diverted on the A40. The works are for ‘structural inspections to take place’
Local MS for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has said:
“I don’t think that anyone will argue the Heads of the Valleys Road is an impressive feat of engineering, but it has been nothing short of expensive and frustrating for the people of Wales.
“The project began in 2002, and has taken 23 years to finish, costing the Welsh Government over £2 billion. This is an extraordinary amount of money, and something they have quite rightly been challenged on.
“Residents in my constituency near Gilwern, Abergavenny and the surrounding villages remember all too well how frustrating the works in the area have been, and these unfortunately look set to continue.
“For a road that has been under-construction for 23 years, and recently undergoing re-surfacing and now inspections for structural integrity, it really does beg the question if it will ever be truly finished.
“I do hope these inspections will find that no further works will be required, otherwise this could become a never-ending saga.”
