A consultation opens today on a shortlist of options for a
replacement of the A494 River Dee Bridge in Flintshire.
The bridge provides a vital connection for cross-border traffic
between North Wales and the North West of England, and is a key
entry point to the Deeside Industrial Park, one of Europe's
largest industrial estates.
A new bridge is needed as the requirement for repairs on the
existing bridge is increasing. Inspections and monitoring to date
have concluded that the frequency of repairs and the risk of
major repair and intervention requiring the closure of the bridge
is growing year-on-year.
The preferred option identified in 2019 has been reviewed to
ensure better alignment with current policies whilst improving
value for money and resilience along this strategically important
corridor and reducing disruption during
construction.
The bridge carries approximately 68,400 vehicles a day, and five
options for a replacement for this important link have been put
forward for consultation*. The public and stakeholders are
invited to provide their views on the shortlisted options.
The five options all include a proposal to deliver a new bridge
along with a new shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. The
options would ensure traffic could continue to use the existing
bridge while work was taking place. Following the
consultation, a preferred option will be taken forward.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales said: “Fixing our roads is a priority for this
government, and the replacement of the Dee Bridge crossing is a
key scheme which we are taking forward.
“It is a vital gateway to North Wales, and is key for
cross-border traffic. The current structure is ageing and
sporadic closures for repairs and monitoring cause disruption and
will be detrimental in the long term as more work will need to be
done.
“A replacement is therefore required. Everyone now has the
opportunity to have their say on the possible options. We
will listen carefully to people's views and we expect to outline
the way forward in May next year.”
The consultation begins today (9 December) until 4 March, and a
public exhibition will be held between 10am and 7pm on Tuesday 21
January at St Andrew's Church, Garden City.
The options can be viewed and feedback submitted using the online
questionnaire by visiting the consultation page at this link:
www.gov.wales/a494-river-dee-bridge-replacement-scheme
The project team can also be contacted via A494RiverDeeBridgeConsultation@gov.wales
or by completing an envelope addressed to ‘Freepost A494'.
The Welsh Government has invested £1bn to fix roads on 1100 miles
of network since 2021, including £250m this financial year.
Notes to editors
Note
*The consultation is part of Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance
(WelTAG) Stage 2. The web link will be live at 00.01 9
December
Next steps include
May 2025 – preferred option selected / outline business case
September 2025 – Draft Orders published
Spring / Summer 2026 – public inquiry
Summer 2026 – Ministerial Decision to proceed
Winter 26-27 / Spring 2027 – Work Begins
Summer / Autumn 2029 – Work completed
