THE Barry Island link road is finally set to open – the Vale of Glamorgan Council has said.

There were rumours last week that the highly-anticipated road was just “days away” from opening, but the local authority told the Barry and District this was incorrect.

But they have now revealed it will open tomorrow, with the aim of easing congestion during the busy summer holiday period.

The road - which has been years in the making - is the result of a collaborative agreement between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Waterfront Development Consortium.

Previously, the only way of reaching Barry Island was via the causeway, but now the popular seaside resort will link to the nearby Waterfront housing development - which is entering its final stages - and the Harbour Road car park.

Councillor Neil Moore, the leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “The Vale of Glamorgan Council has been working hard to see a new road link established to and from Barry Island for many years.

“Our goal has always been to make it easier for residents and visitors to get to and from Barry Island at peak times. 

“With the busiest time of year for the resort just around the corner we have negotiated to get us to a point where the new road can be opened in time for the summer holidays, whilst still allowing the development of the surrounding area to continue.

“The new road will allow entry into the Harbour Road car park from both the Island causeway, as well as to and from the Waterfront development. 

“However, the exit from the car park will be restricted to travel towards the Waterfront. 

“Until the final stages of the Waterfront road building programme is complete, the road from the causeway will be a temporary one-way system, allowing traffic from Barry Island to leave by either that route or over the causeway as normal.

“We believe this will make a very real difference both to local residents and the fortunes of the resort, which continues to go from strength to strength.”

The news will music to the ears of Barry Island residents and traders who have long lamented traffic chaos in the area.

Improvements to the causeway, which included an upgraded pavement and cycle lane, were completed as recently as last month, while new traffic management arrangements were put in place at the Ship Inn junction in the summer of 2015.

Richard Keogh, technical director at Persimmon Homes, who are behind the Waterfront housing development, said: “The Waterfront consortium is fully aware of the importance of the new road, both to the new development and the wider transport network. 

"Bringing the new road into use for the summer holidays has long been an aspiration for both the consortium and the council and it is great to see this now being realised.”