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A Welsh Government study has recommended a relief road for a clogged village which had its bypass plan scrapped four years ago. For years Llanbedr in Gwynedd has suffered from traffic chaos during busy periods. A £14m bypass was given the go-ahead in March 2020. But it was then scrapped in November 2021 following a climate change roads review by the Welsh Government. The government later said a new 'low-speed' road plan to relieve pressure from the village centre could still be on the table - putting forward £400,000 for work to progress proposals. Consultants WSP worked in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd and civil engineering consultancy YGC to finalise the potential options for improvements in and around Llanbedr, as part of the WelTAG (Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance) Stage Two study. The report from that study has now been published - with it concluding that a 40mph relief road should be pursued. It estimates it would reduce the number of vehicles travelling through the village centre by 200 an hour during peak periods. The report said: "The WelTAG appraisal has demonstrated that the best performing options are those that combine a low-speed relief road with measures that enhance sustainable transport. It is therefore recommended that Option 6 and Option 10 are progressed to the next stage of WelTAG for further consideration. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox "Option 6 and 10 propose safety, active travel and public transport improvements in the village and along Mochras Road, in combination with a low-speed relief road. "This includes the following specific measures: The overall combined cost of delivering these changes would be £51.4 million - a huge increase on the last bypass plan. Approximately £39.4million of this comprises the cost for a low-speed relief road, and £12 million for other measures. The report added: "Given this high cost, funding from Welsh Government and the North Wales CJC will be a key consideration at the next stage and remains a risk to delivery given that allocations are yet to be confirmed. "However, the scheme is contained within the North Wales Regional Transport Plan as a high priority scheme. The delivery programme is dependent on acquiring land by agreement for the low-speed relief road and some of the active travel measures. "If acquiring land by agreement is not possible then a CPO would be required which would add additional delay to the delivery programme. To conclude, it has been identified that the preferred option is a combination of Option 6 and Option10, which comprises a low-speed relief road and safety, public transport and active travel improvements. The active travel improvements within and connecting to Llanbedr, however, will continue to be reviewed from the perspective of what provision can be achieved along the A496 in the centre of the village, taking on board concerns of the local community and issues arising from the engagement." Going forward it recommended "continued discussion and agreement on the final layout and design of the proposed low-speed relief road, including what level of active travel provision could be achieved and the potential alterations to the tie-in to the village." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
