Business leaders say a default 20mph speed limit and a new “common sense approach” to road planning would boost north east Wales' economy.
Wrexham Business Professionals says the plans, announced by the Welsh Government's new Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates, could potentially be a “game changer”.
Mr Scates, who is also Senator for Clwyd South, outlined his vision at a meeting of a group of successful businesses and skilled professionals who are working together to promote prosperity in the region and highlight local enterprise and expertise.
The process of rolling back maximum speed limits on some roads from 20mph is due to start in September, and Mr Scates is urging people to tell their local council where they think this should be implemented.
He also outlined his determination to revive plans to rebuild the busy A494 and A55 dual carriageway, which carries traffic to and from the M56 along the Flintshire corridor.
Ian Edwards, from Wrexham Business and Professional Council, who chaired the event, said:
“This is a major step forward for the growth prospects of the North Wales economy and I welcome the change of direction that the appointment of Ken Skates brings. Since becoming an MP he has proven himself to be a determined and hard-working man who will serve his constituents here in North Wales and across Wales.”
“His appointment is a breath of fresh air and I am impressed with the measured and pragmatic approach he is taking to the 20mph dilemma, which is having a profound and direct impact on the livelihoods of many small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those whose profit margins and business reputations depend on being able to get from point A to point B within a set timeframe.”
“We are also very pleased to hear that major motorway improvements for the Wrexham and Flintshire area may soon be back on the agenda. We are particularly grateful that Mr Skates chose our meeting to ensure that long-discussed improvements to the Flintshire Corridor, the gateway to North Wales, are back on the agenda.
“In addition, he is committed to finding a much-needed solution to the Aston Hill bottleneck in Deeside.
“This is not the first time Scates has spoken at a professional business event in Wrexham but each time he has spoken we have felt he really listened to what we have to say. It is a real sign of hope that we may finally be seeing some much-needed progress in the field of roads and transport in North Wales.”
Mr Edwards said the poor road network and inefficient public transport around Wrexham and Flintshire was a top priority for entrepreneurs looking to expand existing businesses or set up new ones in the area.
He said:
“The current congestion on the A55, A494 and its link with the M56 is hindering economic growth prospects across the region and I cannot stress enough how significant an issue this is for the business community and for the creation of new jobs for the local economy.”
Mr Scates acknowledged at the meeting that in some areas the lower speed limit just wasn't working and said he would work with local authorities and all sectors in affected communities to reinstate a 30mph speed limit where there was consensus in favour.
But he said 20 mph policies have been a huge success in other areas, making roads safer and saving lives, especially near schools, hospitals and residential areas.
He said:
“In fact, this has worked well. In many areas 20mph is the safest and most sensible option. In these circumstances, to simply go back to 30mph across the board would be a travesty. That is not what I am advocating.
“But we need to review and refine our policy – something we have always said we would do after a period of time has passed and we are able to assess how well the policy is working. We need to do this with humility and compassion, and acknowledge that on some roads a 20mph speed limit proves to be inappropriate.”
He said there was much to be done on creating a more efficient trunk road network in the Flintshire corridor and North Wales, but that tighter Department for Transport budgets could slow progress.
Mr Skates was critical of the decision to scrap the £300 million so-called Red Route scheme, which would see eight miles of new two-lane roads linking the A55 at Northop with the A494 and A550 north of Deeside Parkway junction via Flintshire Bridge.
Following a Wales-wide review of planned road schemes, the scheme has been shelved along with other long-planned motorway upgrades in North Wales, including the third Menai Crossing to Anglesey.
Mr Skates said the A55 in Deeside was outdated and a serious air pollution hazard for nearby communities, adding:
“It was never designed to handle the current massive amounts of traffic.”
He told Wrexham Business Professionals he was determined to develop and implement a new plan but that it would be done in the most sustainable way possible, utilising the latest road building techniques and incorporating design features which minimise air pollution in the surrounding landscape.
Another guest speaker at the conference was Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, who said Wrexham AFC's global reputation presented a unique opportunity to secure unprecedented economic growth for the city.
He said the influence of club owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds had been hugely positive, but to make the most of Wrexham's raised profile, local leaders must invest heavily in local businesses and new innovators.
