Improving transport links would be top of shopping list for Antoinette Sandbach AM

With the announcement last week of new financial powers for Wales, which includes borrowing powers of around £1.3bn, control of landfill tax and stamp duty, and a House of Commons bill giving permission to hold a referendum on the devolution of income tax. 

Antoinette Sandbach AM has drawn up a shopping list of where she would lie to see money spent here in Deeside and the wider north Wales region.

Top of her list would be improvements to the A55 North Wales Expressway Antoinette says;

“I’ve argued for a long time that we need an extra lane on this dual carriageway, so broken down vehicles, minor bumps or maintenance works don’t cause lengthy, expensive delays”

The A55 is part of an international route, stretching from Ireland to Russia, yet it`s often seen as the poor relation to South Wales’ roads – such as the M4.

“Before the £1bn pot is poured into a relief road for that motorway the Assembly needs to look at cheaper alternatives and whether it’s right to spend so much on one project, especially one that will only help one part of Wales” she says.

The A494 across the River Dee and along Aston Hill at Deeside – which regularly causes lengthy tailbacks is also on her list, Google nicely illustrates below what an average Friday looks like at 4.30pm

Hold-ups along the A494 and A55 are costing local and national businesses much needed revenue, they disrupt family routines and they’re also off-putting for tourists and day trippers alike which again is a potential loss in vital revenue to the region.

Antoinette`s next priority would be electrifying the main North Wales line which is also a is part of an international route.

She says;

“It’s shocking that it’s still running decades-old trains. Plus I’d like to see the route from Wrexham to Bidston upgraded, so for commuters and shoppers alike it’s a reliable, efficient alternative to driving”. 

Talking about the new financial powers Antoinette said;

“Wales can have a real say on how our money is spent on major schemes. And, as 20% of the population lives here in the north, I’d like to see at least a fifth of this money spent here. During doorstep surgeries, the key message I’m getting from voters is their anger over the imbalance in spending between north and south”

Antoinette would like to hear what you think is a priority for Welsh Assembly spending.

You can Contact her on 01845 813345 or email marian.jones@wales.gov.uk