Broughton: A55 Slip road feasibility study set to go ahead.

A slip road that would give a village its roads back is a step closer to becoming a reality.

• Plans for  new housing development could be thrown out

Minister for Economy, Transport and Science Edwina Hart has confirmed a feasibility study into building a slip road around junctions 36 and 36a of the A55 in Broughton.

Campaigners in Broughton want the slip road to take traffic from Broughton Shopping Park and Airbus around the back of the village rather than through it as happens currently.

The feasibility study will be carried out by Welsh Government officials and Flintshire County Council officers and is due to finish before the end of the year.

If the slip road is deemed necessary, land near Parc Jasmin currently earmarked for a 49-house development will be needed for the road. The Minister has confirmed that Flintshire County Council will therefore not be expected to determine the planning application until the feasibility study is finished.

Carl Sargeant AM said:

“While it’s terrific for the local economy to see how Airbus and Broughton Shopping Park have grown, there has been a huge increase in the volume of traffic travelling through the village. At peak times it is very difficult to get in and out.

“That’s why I’m delighted my colleague at the Welsh Labour Government has confirmed a feasibility study into a slip road will go ahead.”

County Councillor for Broughton South and Flintshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development Derek Butler also welcomed the news.

“It’s something the community is desperate to have and something that should have been put in when the shopping park was built,” he said.

“The village has been suffering the ramifications ever since. It’s very difficult to get in and out and of the shopping park and a slip road would divert all traffic coming in from the park and from Airbus down the back of the village and not through the main road.

“With the expansion of the park and of Airbus the villagers have difficulty getting in and out of our community. Nothing moves at peak times and a slip road is what the community has actively campaigned for for years.

It would see great relief for the community and give impetus to the retail park that’s growing apace.”