Trunk roads in Wales explained

Trunk roads in Wales were created in the Trunk Roads Act of 1936 when the UK Ministry of Transport took direct control over 30 of the principal roads in Great Britain from English, Welsh and Scottish local authorities. The number of trunk roads was increased from 30 to 101 in the Trunk Roads Act of 1946. These roads formed what the Act called "the national system of routes for through traffic". Since Welsh devolution the trunk road system in Wales has been managed by the South Wales Trunk Road Agent and the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent on behalf of the Welsh Government. As of April 2019, out of a total of 34850miles of roads in Wales, 1576miles are trunk roads (including 135miles of motorways and as of 2015 350miles of dual carriageway).[1] [2]

Historically, trunk roads have been listed on maps with a "(T)" after their number, to distinguish them from non-trunk parts of the same road. However, this suffix is no longer included on current Ordnance Survey maps. The North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent still use it to distinguish the trunk road from a non-trunk road.[3] When a trunk road had been improved by a motorway, bypass or a similar route, it may be de-trunked. When a road is de-trunked, signposts are often replaced, and sometimes route numbers are changed, making the original road harder to follow. The London–Fishguard Trunk Road in 1936 only included the A48 and the A40. With road improvements, most notably the M4 motorway, much of both the A48 and the A40 has been de-trunked[4] [5]

Under UK Parliamentary control

The 1936 Act came into force in Wales on 1 April 1937 and created 30 trunk roads in Great Britain, with 5 roads either completely or partially within Wales. The Act excluded roads in the County of London and Northern Ireland. The 1946 Act came into force in Wales on 1 April 1946 and produced a further 71 with 11 either completely or partially within Wales. This Act included roads within the County of London, but still excluded the City of London.

Trunk roads in Wales created by the Trunk Road Act 1936
Trunk road numberRoute of trunk roadName of trunk road
including road classification
From London–Chepstow–Caerwent Bypass–Penhow Bypass–Llanbeder Bypass–Newport–St Mellons–Cardiff–Cowbridge–Bridgend Bypass–Port Talbot–Neath–Swansea–Penllergaer–Pontarddulais–Llanddarog Bypass–Carmarthen–St Clears–Whitland–Haverfordwest–Wolf's Castle–Fishguard Harbour.London–Fishguard Trunk Road (A40, A48)
From London–Chirk–Llangollen–Corwen–Cerrigydrudion–Betws-y-Coed–Bethesda–Llandygai–Bangor–Llanfairpwllgwyngyll–Gwalchmai–Valley–Holyhead Harbour.London–Holyhead Trunk Road (A5)
Newport–Croesyceiliog–North West of Pontypool Road Station-Pont y Pia–Penperlleni–Llanellen–Coldbrook Park-Abergavenny–Llantilio Pertholey–Pandy–to ShrewsburyNewport–Shrewsbury Trunk Road (A4042, A472, A40, A465)
Swansea–Penllergaer–Pontarddulais–Fforest–Tycroes–Ammanford–Llandybie–Llandeilo–Llanwrda–Llandovery Station–Llanwrtyd Wells–Beulah–Garth–Builth Wells–Llandrindod Wells–Llanbister–Maes-yr-helm–Gwynant–Dolfor–Glascoed–Newtown–Garthmyl–Welshpool–Llanymynech–Oswestry–Gobowen–Chirk–Plas Offa–The Green–Ruabon–Wrexham–to ManchesterSwansea–Manchester Trunk Road (A483, A48, A5, A539)
From Chester–Saltney–Hawarden–Northop Bypass–Holywell Bypass–St Asaph–Abergele–Colwyn Bay–Mochdre Bypass–Conwy–Penmaenmawr–LlandygaiChester–Bangor Trunk Road (A55)
Sources: Legislation.gov.uk, Trunk Roads Act 1936[6] Leslie V Watson, Trunk Roads Act 1936 and 1946[7] What Do They Know, Welsh Government: List of Welsh Government Roads and Classifications
Trunk Roads in Wales created by the Trunk Road Act 1946
Cardiff–Pontypridd–Merthyr Tydfil–Brecon–Pont-y-bat Crossroads–Llyswen–Builth Wells–Newbridge-on-Wye–Rhayader–LlangurigCardiff–Llangurig Trunk Road (A470, A40, A438, A4073, A479, A44)
Neath–Glynneath–Hirwaun–Merthyr Tydfil–Tredegar–Brynmawr–AbergavennyNeath–Abergavenny Trunk Road (A465)
Raglan–Abergavenny–Brecon–Sennybridge–LlandoveryRaglan–Llandovery Trunk Road (A40)
Newport–Caerleon–Usk–Raglan–Monmouth–Wilton–Ross-on-Wye–Ledbury–Great Malvern–WorcesterNewport–Worcester Trunk Road (A449, A40, A4136, A466, A449)
Llandeilo–CarmarthenLlandilo–Carmarthen Trunk Road (A40)
Haverfordwest–Milford HavenHaverfordwest–Milford Haven Trunk Road (A4076)
Fishguard–Cardigan–Aberaeron–Aberystwyth–Machynlleth–Dolgellau–Maentwrog–Penrhyndeudraeth–Minffordd–West of Tremadog–Llanwnda–Caernarfon–North-east of Port Dinorwic–Menai Suspension BridgeFishguard–Bangor (Menai Suspension Bridge) Trunk Road (A487, A497, A498, A4085, A499, A4087)
Newtown–Llanidloes–Llangurig–Ponterwyd–AberystwythNewtown–Aberystwyth Trunk Road (A492, A44)
West of Shrewsbury (Shelton)–Middletown–Buttington–Welshpool–Llanfair Caereinion–Mailwyd–Cross FoxesShrewsbury–Dolgellau Trunk Road (A458)
Dolgellau–Bala–Druid–Tyn y Cefn–Mold–Ewloe–Queensferry–to South of BirkenheadDolgellau–South of Birkenhead Trunk Road (A494, A549, B5123, A550, A548)
Felin Ty’n y Nant–Ffestiniog railway station–Ffestiniog–Manod railway station–Blaenau Ffestiniog–Dolwyddelan–Waterloo Bridge–Betws-y-Coed–Llanrwst–North of Glan ConwyMaentwrog–East of Conwy Trunk Road (B4408, B4395, B4408, A496)
Sources: Legislation.gov.uk, Trunk Roads Act 1946[8] Leslie V Watson, Trunk Roads Act 1936 and 1946 What Do They Know, Welsh Government: List of Welsh Government Roads and Classifications
Trunk Roads in Wales created since 1946
Glanusk Park–LlyswenGlanusk Park (Crickhowell)–Llyswen Trunk Road (A479)
Caersws–MachynllethCaersws–Machynlleth Trunk Road A489
Cemmaes Road–MallwydCemmaes Road–Mallwyd Trunk Road A489
Pentrebach–DowlaisEast of Abercynon–East of Dowlais Trunk Road A4060
St Clears–Red Roses–Kilgetty–Pembroke DockEast of St Clears–Pembroke Dock Trunk Road A477
Source: What Do They Know, Welsh Government: List of Welsh Government Roads and Classifications[9]

A review of roads was carried out in 1997–98 by the Welsh Office which was part of the Government of the United Kingdom. It reviewed the existing trunk road network and identified routes that were of national strategic importance. The factors for deciding which routes should be retained in the core (trunk) network included:

These factors were published in the Government's white paper "A New Deal for Transport" in July 1998.[11]

Under Welsh Parliamentary control

The National Assembly for Wales took responsibility for devolved powers on 1 July 1999,[12] as part of this process, transport was transferred from the Parliament of the United Kingdom to the National Assembly for Wales and with it responsibility for the trunk road network, including motorways.[13] Responsibility for the management of highways in Wales is split between the Welsh Government and local highway agencies. The Welsh Government is responsible for trunk roads and motorways, whilst the 22 local authorities are responsible for all other highways.

In 2001 the Welsh Government reviewed the way in which trunk roads and motorways were being managed,[14] and by September 2004,[14] they had decided to reduce the number of trunk road agencies from eight down to three.[14] The three new agencies were:

The three new Trunk Road Agencies started on 1 April 2006. Six years later on 1 April 2012 these were again reduced further down to two:

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Gwynedd Council manage and maintain the trunk road network on behalf of the Transport and Strategic Regeneration division of the Welsh Government for SWTRA and NMWTRA respectively.[17] [18]

In March 2002, the Welsh Government developed their Trunk Road Forward Programme.[19] The programme listed plans for major improvements and new road schemes.[19] Following the 2004 review of the Welsh Government's transport policy in 2004,[19] they updated the list for major improvements and new road schemes.[19] In December 2008 the Trunk Road Forward Programme was again updated due to the pledges made in the One Wales the Labour Party and Plaid Cymru.[19]

As of April 2019, out of a total of 34850miles of roads in Wales, 1576miles are trunk roads (including 135miles of motorways and as of 2015 350miles of dual carriageway).[1] [2]

In 2023, the Welsh Government announced it was expecting more interventional schemes would be required in the future to tackle long-standing air quality issues. This could be possibly road pricing on some of Wales' trunk roads, like London's ULEZ. Although, a minister stated there are no current plans to introduce them.[20] Starting in March 2023, the Welsh Government were drafting a bill to expand their powers to implement road pricing, should they need it.[21] [22]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Road lengths and conditions, 2018-19:. . 2022-11-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20221124151604/https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2019-08/road-lengths-and-conditions-april-2018-march-2019-revised-513_0.pdf. live. 2022-11-24.
  2. Web site: Road lengths and conditions in Wales during 2014-15. . 2022-11-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20221124150118/https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2019-01/road-lengths-and-conditions-financial-year-2014-to-2015.pdf. live. 2022-11-24.
  3. Web site: A483(T) Junction Numbering A483(T) Rhifo Cyffyrdd. North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  4. Web site: The London–Fishguard Trunk Road (A48) (County of South Glamorgan) and The Cardiff–Glan Conwy Trunk Road (A470) (County of South Glamorgan) Detrunking Order 1987. . 2016-03-09.
  5. Web site: The A40 Trunk Road (Wolvercote Roundabout Oxford to the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire County Boundary) (Detrunking) Order 2003. . 2016-03-09.
  6. Web site: Trunk Roads Act 1936. . 2016-03-08.
  7. Web site: Trunk Roads Act 1936 and 1946. Leslie V Watson. 2016-03-08.
  8. Web site: Trunk Roads Act 1946. . 2016-03-08.
  9. Web site: Welsh Government: List of Welsh Government Roads and Classifications. Welsh Government. 2016-03-08.
  10. Web site: Driving Wales Forward: A strategic review of the Welsh trunk roads programme . . 2016-03-09.
  11. Web site: Trunk Roads. . 1 November 2000. 2016-03-09.
  12. Web site: Devolved Parliaments and Assemblies. . 2016-03-09.
  13. Web site: Governance of Wales: Who is responsible for what?. . 2016-03-09.
  14. Web site: Background to Formation of the Agency. South Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  15. Web site: The South Wales Trunk Road Agent Network. South Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  16. Web site: Our Roads-The Road Network managed by the Agency. North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  17. Web site: South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA). South Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  18. Web site: Who we are. North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  19. Web site: Trunk Road Forward Programme. . 2016-03-09.
  20. Web site: How clean air targets could be met by charging drivers on some Welsh roads . 2023-11-22 . Sky News . en.
  21. Web site: Dalling . Robert . 2023-11-21 . Powers to make drivers pay pollution charge on M4 approved in Senedd . 2023-11-23 . Wales Online . en.
  22. Web site: Jones . John . 2023-03-21 . Drivers furious at charges proposal for M4 and A470 make key point . 2023-11-23 . Wales Online . en.
  23. Web site: The A494 Trunk Road (Lon Fawr, Ruthin, Denbighshire) (Temporary Traffic Restrictions & Prohibitions) Order 2016. . 2016-03-09.
  24. Web site: The London – Fishguard Trunk Road (A40) (Heol Draw Improvement) Order 2004. . 2016-03-09.
  25. Web site: The Cardiff-Glan Conwy Trunk Road (A470) The Newtown-Aberystwyth Trunk Road (A44) (Trunk Roads and Junction Improvements, Llangurig) Order 1989. . 2016-03-09.
  26. Web site: The M4 Motorway (Junction 33 (Capel Llanilltern Interchange)) & The A4232 Trunk Road (Capel Llanilltern to Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff) (Temporary Traffic Prohibitions & Restrictions) Order 2015. . 2016-03-09.
  27. Web site: The A40 Trunk Road (Park Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire) (Temporary Closure of Footway) Order 2015. . 2016-03-09.
  28. Web site: The East of Abercynon–East of Dowlais Trunk Road (A4060) (Improvement of Mountain Hare to Dowlais Top) Order 1996 . . 2016-03-09.
  29. Web site: A5 – Bangor to Chirk Trunk Road. North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  30. Web site: The London-Holyhead Trunk Road A5 (Rhoswiel–Whitehurst Detrunking) Order 1987. . 2016-03-09.
  31. Web site: The A55 Trunk Road (Junction 1, Kingsland Roundabout, Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey to east of Junction 11, Llys y Gwynt Interchange, Bangor, Gwynedd) (Temporary Prohibition of Vehicles & 40 MPH Speed Limit) Order 2015 . . 2016-03-09.
  32. Web site: National Assembly for Wales – Rail Infrastructure Inquiry PF: 0008724. . 2016-03-09.
  33. Web site: A55 – Holyhead to Chester Trunk Road. North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  34. Web site: The Neath–Abergavenny Trunk Road (A465) (Improvement from Aberdulais to Glynneath and Slip Roads) Order 1991. . 2016-03-09.
  35. Web site: The A40 Trunk Road (Chapel Farm Over-Bridge, Near Monmouth, Monmouthshire) (Temporary Prohibition of Vehicles) Order 2015. . 2016-03-09.
  36. Web site: M4/Newport-Shrewsbury Trunk Road A4042 (Relief of Brynglas Tunnels and Malpas Road) Order 1989. Legislation.gov.uk. 2016-03-09.
  37. Web site: The Swansea–Manchester Trunk Road (A483) and the Shrewsbury–Dolgellau Trunk Road (A458) (Welshpool North–South Relief Road) (Variation) Order 1990. Legislation.gov.uk. 2016-03-09.
  38. Web site: A458 – Shropshire Boundary to Mallwyd Trunk Road. North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  39. Web site: The Haverfordwest-Milford Haven Trunk Road (Johnston Railway Bridge) Order 1981. Legislation.gov.uk. 2016-03-09.
  40. Web site: The A487 Trunk Road (Rhydyfelin to Southgate, Ceredigion) (Temporary Speed Restrictions & No Overtaking) Order 2016 . . 2016-03-09.
  41. Web site: A489 – Newtown to Machynlleth Trunk Road. North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent. 2016-03-09.
  42. Web site: The A479 Trunk Road (Glanusk Park to Llyswen, Powys) (Temporary Speed Restrictions and No Overtaking) Order 2016 . Legislation.gov.uk. 2016-03-09.
  43. Web site: St Clears to Pembroke Dock Trunk Road (A477) (St Clears-Red Roses Improvement Side Roads) Order 2012 (2012 No.3). . 2016-03-09.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Trunk roads in Wales".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.