One of the UK's largest and most technically challenging road
projects has officially opened, completing the £2bn Heads of the
Valleys Road upgrade programme helping to deliver better
transport and fix our roads.
The final phase of the Welsh Government funded upgrade programme
, which was designed to deliver prosperity to some of the most
deprived areas in Wales, has already created 2,200 new jobs
across the country with almost a half of those employed living in
the local area and coming from a disadvantaged or long-term
unemployed background.
The £1.4bn Section 5&6 – Dowlais to Hirwaun final phase is
helping to connect communities by linking the Valleys, South and
West Wales to the English Midlands and beyond together with ports
serving Irish and other European destinations. As well as
improving the resilience of the South Wales trunk road network,
the road provides a vital link across the top of the South Wales
valleys for the Metro project improving links to the Cardiff and
Swansea Bay City Regions.
This has been achieved by delivering:
- 17.7km of new dual carriageway
- 6km of new sideroads
- more than 14km of active travel routes
- 38 culverts (a structure that channels water past an
obstacle), 32 new bridges and 28 new retaining walls.
As well as boosting the region's economy with approximately £400m
being invested in the local supply chain, the project has helped
to inspire the next generation through educational engagement
sessions, and delivered a series of environmental benefits. These
include:
- employing 246 new apprentices, 30% of which live in the
Valleys region.
- supporting more than 24,000 hours of pupil engagement through
the STEM programme.
- hosting 86 educational site visits to show students the key
aspects of construction.
- planting more than 120,000 new trees and 8,000 new plants to
support Marsh Fritillary Butterfly and creating new habitats for
species such as Bats, Dormouse and Crested Newt to help wildlife
continue to thrive.
Speaking at the official opening, Cabinet Secretary for Transport
and North Wales, said:
“Delivering better transport and fixing our roads is a priority
for this government, which is why I am delighted to be marking
the completion of what has been a hugely ambitious road upgrade
programme.
“It's been a complex project, which has not been without its
challenges, but is a fantastic example of how targeted investment
in road infrastructure can deliver benefits on so many levels,
from providing local jobs to improving accessibility, supporting
education and skills, as well as delivering environmental
benefits.
“Of course, a project of this magnitude is inevitably going to
have an impact on local residents, and I would like to thank
those that were affected for their patience. I am confident that
once people realise the benefits of this investment, memories of
any disruption they have experienced will start to fade.”
Finance Secretary, added:
"Investing in this major capital project has created real
benefits for local people. It has resulted in £400m for the local
supply chain and has created 2,200 new jobs.
“Beyond improving transport, this project has built a legacy in
the area, by training over 200 apprentices and providing STEM
activities for local schools. This shows how our investments are
improving more than just infrastructure; they are supporting our
communities."