Campaigners have warned the Welsh Government it's £125 million A487 Caernarfon bypass scheme is a safety risk.

Three leading charities, Sustrans Cymru, Ramblers Cymru, and Cycling UK, have joined forces urging Ministers to re-think plans for the scheme.

The new A487 bypass would be routed from the A487/A499 Goat roundabout, heading north and skirting Dinas, Bontnewydd, Caeathro and Caernarfon, before rejoining the A487 at the Plas Menai roundabout, near Y Felinheli.

However, campaigners have a list of concerns over the scheme, including;

• The proposed crossings of two main roads at Lôn Eifion, a popular traffic free route for walking and cycling used by children, dog walkers, buggy pushers, people with assisted mobility needs, as well as tourists

• No direct motor access between the bypass and Caernarfon suburbs, without which congestion in the town will still cause problems

• Limited safe crossings for walking and cycling around other roundabouts.

•No additional walking and cycling links from the Bontnewydd area towards Caeathro, Cibyn Industrial Estate and the Bethel roundabout


• No additional crossing provisions on the redesigned Plas Menai roundabout

Sustrans Cymru's North Wales Manager Glyn Evans said if the Government presses ahead with the bypass scheme, it is "essential that it does so in a way that protects safety and improves access for walking and cycling".

"The route cuts across a number of important walking and cycling routes, and as it stands, the current proposals will make it harder and more dangerous for people going to and from work or school, running an everyday errand, or enjoying the beautiful countryside Gwynedd has to offer.

"Whilst walking and cycling will bear the brunt of these plans, drivers using the new route could also be effected."

A public inquiry into the development is now underway and the three charities, which have all lodged official objections to the scheme, have called on Ken Skates, the North Wales-based minister responsible for transport, to re-think plans and propose improvements.

Mr Evans added: "We're building a bypass that will last for generations. Mistakes made will be set in stone for years to come, so it's vital Welsh Government gets the layout right the first time round. 

"Failure to do so will jeopardise safety, restrict access and ultimately cost the taxpayer more in the long-run.

"The A487 improvement is a key test of whether or not the Welsh Government is serious about following its own rules and implementing the Active Travel Act."

Designed by WSP and Parsons Brinckerhoff as well as TACP, the £125m development is due to begin construction in autumn 2017.

Balfour Beatty and Jones Brothers (Ruthin) have been selected to build the 9.8km 2+1 carriageway (2 lanes in one direction, 1 in the other, switching from one side to another) between the Goat roundabout and Plas Menai roundabout. Completion is scheduled for late 2019.

(LM/MH)