AMs' blow to new airport link road (From Barry And District News)

AMs' blow to new airport link road

BARRY has been dealt a bitter blow by the National Assembly after it was announced that plans for the airport link road are still yet to be finalised.

Vale of Glamorgan residents have been campaigning for years to get a dedicated relief road for Rhoose-based Cardiff International Airport.

Andrew Davies, the Assembly's Minister for Transport and Economic development announced on Tuesday that access to Cardiff International Airport will be improved but there will not be a new road.

He said: "We will be trunking the route from Culverhouse Cross to the Airport along the A48 / A4226 (Five Mile Lane) and carrying out improvements. We will also be investigating in detail options which would allow Airport traffic to avoid Culverhouse Cross, and in the longer term the possibility of a new link from the M4 in conjunction with a major park and ride / modal interchange at Junction 34."

Vale Assembly Member and Tory Transport Spokesman Alun Cairns, was highly critical of the announcement.

He said: "This is massive blow for the communities of Barry, Bonvilston, Wenvoe and the surrounding districts which will continue to be blighted by heavy traffic."

"The lack of commitment to the link road will also have a direct impact on the growth of the airport and will continue to stagnate its development."

The Parliamentary candidate for the Vale added: "I'm sure that the new owners of the airport as well as the wider Vale community will agree with me that this terrible news and will join me in calling on the Minister to give a firm commitment to relieve the effected communities.

"This statement effectively delays an express way for at least another 10 years."