Isle of Anglesey CC is close to reaching agreement with the developer of the planned Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station over funding for road improvements, including construction of four bypasses.
Wylfa Newydd, near the recently closed Wylfa nuclear plant, is one of several new nuclear stations envisaged by the UK Government.
Hitachi subsidiary Horizon Nuclear Power (HNP) aims to obtain consent for the new facility in 2019.
Menai Suspension Bridge in Anglesey
Dewi Williams, Anglesey’s head of highways, waste management and property, said: ‘Early delivery of these works is required to reduce the impact on the highway network – to avoid online construction taking place at the same time as offline construction.’
HNP is considering whether road improvements will be needed elsewhere, for example to facilitate travel between the site and worker accommodation.
In June 2015 it entered into a collaboration agreement with the council to facilitate highway improvements for construction and worker traffic.
Now the council’s executive has authorised officers to enter into a further agreement for HNP to indemnify the authority for all costs and liabilities associated with the improvements including Compulsory Purchase Orders and any other orders required.
The A55 Expressway connects Anglesey to the motorway network but Wylfa Head is approximately 18km, along the A5 and A5025, from the nearest A55 interchange.
Surveys undertaken from 2010 to 2015 captured existing vehicle numbers and road characteristics.
Mr Williams, said the surveys revealed width restrictions, bends and other constraints on the roads’ use for Wylfa construction traffic.
Four bypasses are proposed at villages. A roundabout on a new site would replace the signalised junction where the A5025 meets the A5 at Valley.
Improvements to existing alignments will include localised widening and safeguarding of visibility at private access points.
Mr Williams said a planning application was expected this autumn for the online improvements, to enable their implementation next year.
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