Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

At a recent public meeting at Llanbedr, Ardudwy, two local county councillors paid homage to the local people and community group, Pobl, for their continued lobbying, organisational work, correspondents and meetings to put pressure on the Welsh Government and Westminster to find a solution to the traffic issues facing the village. Councillors are urging local residents to support 'Pobl' who has arranged a Llanbedr protest walk at 11am, this coming Saturday, 25 of March starting from the southern side of Llanbedr village.

The community leaders, Councillors Annwen Hughes and Gwynfor Owen were keen to emphasise that work was continuing to look at finding solutions to the on-going issues of pedestrian safety, pollution, traffic flow and congestion at the heart of Llanbedr village.

Both county representatives also said that the people of Llanbedr and the surrounding communities remain their top priority, and that they are liaising with politicians at all levels to work together for the good of the area.

Cllr Annwen Hughes said: “As a local girl, born and bred in the area, working, farming and raising my family here, I experience the problems first hand on a regular basis. It is infuriating that we have been let down by both governments. Rural life and Meirionnydd countryside is just as important as large-scale populated areas south of Merthyr.

“I am keen that we continue to work together, with the local community, Cyngor Gwynedd officials, Plaid Cymru representatives, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn as Gwynedd Leader; Dwyfor Meirionnydd’s Mabon ap Gwynfor, Senedd Members and Liz Saville Roberts, MP to continue to press our case for a solution. The generation before us began this task to try and alleviate the problems we experience on our mid-17^th century bridge, it is high time a plan is put in place.

Councillor Gwynfor Owen expressed his gratitude to Pobl representatives for arranging the public meeting held at Llanbedr Village Hall recently and the work they have done to continue to raise awareness of the issues.

“I took the opportunity to ask for an update from Cyngor Gwynedd at our full council meeting at the beginning of the month. Plaid Gwynedd Leader, Dyfrig Siencyn said that the Council has been working incredibly hard to ensure that Llanbedr and the wider area can benefit from high value jobs that would come with developments at the nearby airfield site, in addition to securing a suitable access road to facilitate development and a new way to solve the problems of significant traffic congestion at the village.

“We know that The Ardudwy Green Corridor bid to Westminster Government offered a real opportunity to bring new access to the airfield site and address traffic congestion issues in Llanbedr. Active and green travel would have been promoted, making walking and cycling safe.”

Dyfrig Siencyn relayed to full council (2 March) that the recent decision by the United Kingdom Government not to support the Council's request for funding from the Levelling Up fund was extremely disappointing. “It underlines a lack of the government's understanding of the seriousness of the situation.” he said. 

This follows the decision by Wales' Deputy Climate Change Minister to make a U-turn on a previous Welsh Government commitment on a scheme that would have ensured access to the airfield and a new road for Llanbedr.

Gwynfor Owen said: “Cyngor Gwynedd and the Leader is committed to support us in seeking a positive solution that will unlock the economic potential of Llanbedr airfield, solve local traffic congestion problems, and encourage sustainable travel options. They will be in discussion with the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to consider how we can all work together in the short term to try to improve safety and the provision of active travel along the A496 between Llandecwyn and Barmouth.

Dyfrig Siencyn said at full council meeting: “Despite the Deputy Climate Change Minister's disappointing announcement in 2021 not to support the original scheme, Council officers have been continuing to discuss solutions that will facilitate access to Llanbedr airfield. 

“I can assure you, as councillors and the local community, that these efforts will continue until an acceptable solution is found for Llanbedr and the wider Ardudwy area.”

Councillor Gwynfor Owen said: “We must continue to work as one to try and alleviate the safety and well-being of the local community. Both Mabon ap Gwynfor and Liz Saville-Roberts are also pressing hard on this issue, on our behalf.”