Repairing landslide damage in Newbridge is "priority" says council

* Ken Skates MS, left, and Wrexham councillor David A Bithell at the site on the landslide. 

Wrexham Borough Council says repairing the damage caused by Storm Christoph earlier this year to the B5605 at Newbridge remains a priority. 

The storm caused a landslide and the closure of the road for the foreseeable future.

The council says works to fix this are "complex and the solution difficult and costly".

But it adds: "We are hopeful of further help from Welsh Government to help us to repair this important part of our infrastructure."

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member Environment and Transport, said he welcomed the opportunity to meet with Clwyd South MS Ken Skates on a recent site visit who, he explained, had taken a keen interest in making representation to Welsh Government Minister Julie James.

“I hope that these talks and discussions will be fruitful in ensuring that this road re-opens as soon as possible. This is causing major difficulties for local people and we need substantial funding to address the effects from storm Christoph.”

Ken Skates said: “The damage caused by the extreme weather last year wreaked havoc in communities across Wales. This is a particularly bad example, and I know it has caused a lot of problems locally.

“I have raised the matter with the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, and asked the Welsh Government to look at this again. 

"I know the Welsh Government has been in discussions with the council about other funding which might be available, so I look forward to receiving the Minister’s response outlining how both parties can work together to remedy the situation.”

He added: "The B5605 provides critical road links between communities in Newbridge and Cefn and the wider settlement areas at Chirk to the south and Plas Madoc/Ruabon to the north. 

"Loss of this road link severs these communities causing distress and inconvenience on the many residents and businesses in these areas.

“Alternative routes are lengthy and inconvenient. In addition, this stretch of the B5605 provides the alternative routes for the A483 trunk road. 

"In the event of closures on the trunk road whether for planned works or emergencies, alternative routes now have to be diverted via Llangollen, a 15-mile diversion for drivers."