Concerns over safety on the A55 through Flintshire raised in Senedd
Concerns over safety on the A55 through Flintshire have been raised in the Senedd, after two fatal crashes occurred on a section of the road in recent months.
Gareth Davies MS, Conservative Member for the Vale of Clwyd, told the Senedd on 21 October that the middle section of the A55 between junctions 32 and 33 at Halkyn had been “overlooked” in recent transport studies.
He said the stretch of dual carriageway was “notoriously dangerous” and often suffered long tailbacks following collisions.
Mr Davies said he had written to the Welsh Government in August about the issue but was “disappointed” that this section had not been included in the Cabinet Secretary’s earlier response on road safety measures.
“Since my letter in August there have sadly been two fatal crashes on the A55 on the particular stretch of road I am concerned about,” he told Members. “There are often tailbacks in this area due to traffic collisions, and this was largely absent from the Cabinet Secretary’s written response.”
He urged the Government to ensure that its ongoing A55/A494 transport needs and resilience study looked specifically at this Flintshire section and considered measures “to reduce collisions and fatalities”.
Rebecca Evans MS, the Minister responsible for Transport, thanked Mr Davies for his “continued work in relation to road safety on the A55”.
She said a traffic officer service operates along the route all year to help clear breakdowns and improve traffic flow, supported by Traffic Wales’s live travel information system.
“I appreciate that your key concern really is around road safety on that middle stretch,” she said. “I will speak to the Cabinet Secretary and provide you with a fuller answer about what’s happening on that particular stretch.”
The Welsh Government says the A55/A494 study aims to develop an “evidence-led understanding” of safety, resilience and transport performance along the north Wales corridor, covering connectivity, accessibility and climate resilience.
Earlier this year, Hannah Blythyn MS, Labour Member for Delyn, also called for a long-term programme of improvements to the A55, describing it as a “gateway into North Wales” and a vital link for residents and businesses.
Speaking in the Senedd, Ms Blythyn said:
“The A55 is more than just a road — it’s critical for communities and businesses across North Wales. While we’ve come a long way since the days of endless traffic jams through Conwy, it’s clear that further improvements are needed to address congestion, enhance safety, and future-proof this vital route.”
She urged ministers to work with the UK Government and local authorities to deliver “practical and innovative” improvements, such as a crawler lane westbound around Halkyn and better measures to reduce the impact of breakdowns.
In response, First Minister Eluned Morgan MS said the Government was committed to tackling “pinch points” along the route through regional transport plans and collaboration with corporate joint committees.
“There are still pinch points on the A55 that need to be addressed,” she said. “We will ensure joined-up working at a regional level to deliver solutions that align with the Wales Transport Strategy.”
Ms Blythyn said she was encouraged by the First Minister’s response and would “continue to push for practical and innovative solutions that benefit everyone in North Wales”.
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