Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Highways, Property and Waste.

The report of the Head of Service (Highways, Waste and Property) seeking the Executive’s approval for funding to appoint consulting engineers to design strengthening improvements to the A545 was presented for consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property reported that there is a history of landslides along the A545 between Glyn Garth and Beaumaris the latest of which occurred on 22 November, 2017 which resulted in a blockage to a culvert and subsequent water damage to a retaining wall and garden. Remedial work started immediately so that the road could re-open as soon as possible and it is expected that other necessary work should be completed in early February. The Highways Service is to be commended for its prompt response. Remedial work to stabilise the slope in connection with the Beaumaris Cemetery landslip in 2015 still needs to be carried out. The estimated total cost of this work is £180k. Initial discussions with the Welsh Government’s Minister for the Economy and Infrastructure and Welsh Government Officers indicate that funding would be available over the next few years to proceed with a combination of slope stabilisation and road widening to strengthen and improve sections of the A545 from Glyn Garth to Beaumaris. The landowner above and below the A545 has indicated that he is supportive of such improvements and is willing to release the required land. Funding for designs together with a contribution towards the Beaumaris Cemetery works is expected to be in the region of £95k. The alternative to improving and strengthening the A545 is to construct a new road at a cost in the region of £30m.

The Head of Service (Highways, Waste and Property) said that the aim is to proceed with the Beaumaris Cemetery slope stabilisation work in February, 2018 subject to funding being made available by Welsh Government, Beaumaris Town Council and Anglesey Council.

The Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development and a Local Member for the area also expressed his thanks to the Highways Service for its efforts in the wake of the November landslip. He said that a long term solution needs to be found to the problems on the A545 to make the road safe for the future and also to ensure that the historical town of Beaumaris whose residents have been particularly affected by recent landslip events, remains accessible. The road is an important strategic route and is part of the experience of visiting Beaumaris. However, the community has at times in recent years felt that the area has been cut off due to recurrent landslides on the A545. The feeling locally is that the Beaumaris Cemetery works should be undertaken as a priority.  The Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development further sought clarification with regard to the following matters –

•  The time schedule for commissioning design consultants through to undertaking the improvement works;

•  The realistic prospect for a new road;

•  The feasibility from a design and engineering perspective of constructing an alternative road on stilts.

The Head of Service (Highways, Waste and Property) said that he thought it unlikely that Welsh Government would support a new road at an estimated cost of £30m. In any case, the A545 would still have to be maintained for the sake of properties and traffic in that area. The cost of constructing a road on stilts would also likely be prohibitive. As regards timescale, the intention funding permitted, is to begin the Cemetery works next month and to proceed thereafter on the basis of having plans at the ready for when any underspending occurs so that schemes can be implemented as and when funding is made available. All options will be considered for improving the existing A545, hence the commissioning of design consultants.

It was resolved that the Highways, Waste and Property Service receive funding of £95k to appoint consulting engineers to design strengthening improvements for the A545 between Glyn Garth and Beaumaris, and also in order to contribute towards the cost of strengthening the slope below Beaumaris Cemetery in conjunction with the Welsh Government and Beaumaris Town Council.