Traffic disruption set to last for another week

Power cable is being laid for new Sainsbury's store ...  

* The roadworks along Regent Street.

THE major disruption that drivers have been facing for the past week or so on the main A5 through Llangollen is partly to provide a power supply for the town’s new Sainsbury’s supermarket, according to contractors.

And apologising for the disruption so far, they warn it’s going to last for another week.

A long stretch of Queen Street, Regent Street and Berwyn Street has been affected by the roadworks since late last week.

As the carriageway of the trunk route has been reduced to a single carriageway controlled by lights at either end of the works, this has led to long traffic tailbacks, especially at peak times and over the weekend.   

Last weekend it was particularly bad, with traffic heading into town from the direction of Wrexham left queuing back towards the golf club.  

In a statement, Manchester-based contractors O'Connor Utilities (OCU) says: “The works that OCU have undertaken on behalf of ScottishPower are to supply a HV (high voltage) connection to the site for the new proposed Sainsbury’s store just of Berwyn Street.

“This will however bolster the electrical networks for all businesses and residents in the Llangollen area.

“The works are to span from the existing sub-station on Brook Street to the site.

“SPEN (ScottishPower Energy Networks) have selected a cable route to travel down Brook Street then to turn left on to Queens Street (pictured right), Regent Street, it will then proceed up the A5 and fork into Hall Street. This will then go the full length of Hall Street and then come out on to Berwyn Street and at this moment travel approximately 190 meters along the A5.

“This has been the route SPEN have selected to try and cause the minimum disruption to local residents and visitors.

“Unfortunately it has been necessary to close roads on sections of this route to maintain safety for members of the public and our workforce.

“On our current working program we estimate all works on this phase to be completed by Friday, April 11.

“OCU would like to apologise on behalf of ourselves and ScottishPower for any disruption these works have caused to the residents of Llangollen and we would ask for your patience and understanding to help us complete these works as safely and as quickly as possible.”