Trunk roads in Wales

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File:Trunk Road Network in Wales 2015.png
The current Trunk Road Network in Wales

Trunk roads in Wales were first 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 were expanded 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 North & Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent on behalf of the Welsh Government. As of April 2015, out of a total of 34,495 miles (55,514 km) of roads in Wales, 1,576 miles (2,536 km) are Trunk Roads (including 133 miles (214 km) of motorways and 350 miles (560 km) of dual carriageway).[1] For a road to be classed as a dual carriageway, the two directions of traffic flow must be physically separated by a central reservation.[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. However the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent still use it to distinguish the trunk road from a non-trunk road.[3] It is possible for roads to be "de-trunked" for example, when a road had been improved by a motorway, bypass or a similar route. 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, however with road improvements most notably the M4 motorway, the A48 in south Wales and A40 in England have largely 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 Number Route of Trunk Road Name of Trunk Road
including road clasiification
10
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)
11
From London—Chirk—Llangollen—Corwen—Cerrigydrudion—Betws-y-Coed—Bethesda—Llandygai—Bangor—Llanfairpwllgwyngyll—Gwalchmai—Valley—Holyhead Harbour.
 London—Holyhead Trunk Road (A5)
17
Newport—Croesyceiliog—North West of Pontypool Road Station-Pont y Pia—Penperlleni—Llanellen—Coldbrook Park-Abergavenny—Llantilio Pertholey—Pandy—to Shrewsbury
 Newport—Shrewsbury Trunk Road (A4042, A472, A40, A465)
18
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 Manchester
 Swansea—Manchester Trunk Road (A483, A48, A5, A539)
19
From Chester—Saltney—Hawarden—Northop Bypass—Holywell Bypass—St Asaph—Abergele—Colwyn Bay—Mochdre Bypass—Conwy—Penmaenmawr—Llandygai
 Chester—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[8]
Trunk Roads in Wales created by the Trunk Road Act 1946
75
Cardiff—Pontypridd—Merthyr Tydfil—Brecon—Pont-y-bat Crossroads—Llyswen—Builth Wells—Newbridge-on-Wye—Rhayader—Llangurig
 Cardiff—Llangurig Trunk Road (A470, A40, A438, A4073, A479, A44)
76
Neath—Glynneath—Hirwaun—Merthyr Tydfil—Tredegar—Brynmawr—Abergavenny
 Neath—Abergavenny Trunk Road (A465)
77
Raglan—Abergavenny—Brecon—Sennybridge—Llandovery
 Raglan—Llandovery Trunk Road (A40)
78
Newport—Caerleon—Usk—Raglan—Monmouth—Wilton—Ross-on-Wye—Ledbury—Great Malvern—Worcester
 Newport—Worcester Trunk Road (A449, A40, A4136, A466, A449)
79
Llandeilo—Carmarthen
 Llandilo—Carmarthen Trunk Road (A40)
80
Haverfordwest—Milford Haven
 Haverfordwest—Milford Haven Trunk Road (A4076)
81
Fishguard—Cardigan—Aberaeron—Aberystwyth—Machynlleth—Dolgellau—Maentwrog—Penrhyndeudraeth—Minffordd—West of Tremadog—Llanwnda—Caernarfon—North-east of Port Dinorwic—Menai Suspension Bridge
 Fishguard—Bangor (Menai Suspension Bridge) Trunk Road (A487, A497, A498, A4085, A499, A4087)
82
Newtown—Llanidloes—Llangurig—Ponterwyd—Aberystwyth
 Newtown—Aberystwyth Trunk Road (A492, A44)
83
West of Shrewsbury (Shelton)—Middletown—Buttington—Welshpool—Llanfair Caereinion—Mailwyd—Cross Foxes
 Shrewsbury—Dolgellau Trunk Road (A458)
84
Dolgellau—Bala—Druid—Tyn y Cefn—Mold—Ewloe—Queensferry—to South of Birkenhead
 Dolgellau—South of Birkenhead Trunk Road (A494, A549, B5123, A550, A548)
85
Felin Ty’n y Nant—Ffestiniog railway station—Ffestiniog—Manod railway station—Blaenau Ffestiniog—Dolwyddelan—Waterloo Bridge—Betws-y-Coed—Llanrwst—North of Glan Conwy
 Maentwrog—East of Conwy Trunk Road (B4408, B4395, B4408, A496)
Sources: Legislation.gov.uk, Trunk Roads Act 1946[9] Leslie V Watson, Trunk Roads Act 1936 and 1946[7] What Do They Know, Welsh Government: List of Welsh Government Roads and Classifications[8]
Trunk Roads in Wales created since 1946
104
Glanusk Park—Llyswen
 Glanusk Park (Crickhowell)—Llyswen Trunk Road (A479)
105
Caersws—Machynlleth
 Caersws—Machynlleth Trunk Road A489
106
Cemmaes Road—Mallwyd
 Cemmaes Road—Mallwyd Trunk Road A489
107
Pentrebach—Dowlais
 East of Abercynon—East of Dowlais Trunk Road A4060
122
St Clears—Red Roses—Kilgetty—Pembroke Dock
 East of St Clears—Pembroke Dock Trunk Road A477
Source: What Do They Know, Welsh Government: List of Welsh Government Roads and Classifications[8]

A review of roads was carried out in 1997–98 by 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:

  • Linking the main centres of population and economic activity;
  • Accessing major ports, airports and rail intermodal terminals;
  • Joining peripheral regions to the centre;
  • Providing key cross-border links to Scotland and Wales;
  • Classification as part of the UK Trans-European Road Network.

These factors were published in the Government's white paper "A New Deal for Transport" in July 1998.[10]

Under Welsh Assembly control

File:Cropped European Highways UK-EI (3).jpg
The two European routes in Wales (E30 in the south and E22 in the north) are also trunk roads

The National Assembly for Wales took responsibility for devolved powers on 1 July 1999,[11] 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.[12] 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,[13] and by September 2004,[13] they had decided to reduce the number of trunk road agencies from eight down to three.[13] The three new agencies were:

  • The South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA), later renamed the South Wales Trunk Road Agent
  • The Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency (MWTRA)
  • The North Wales Trunk Road Agency (NWTRA).[13]

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:

  • The South Wales Trunk Road Agent, who manage 16 Trunk Roads or parts of roads (both A Roads and Motorways)[14]
  • The North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA), who manage 11 Trunk Roads or parts of roads (all A Roads).[15]

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.[16][17]

In March 2002, the Welsh Government developed their Trunk Road Forward Programme.[18] The programme listed plans for major improvements and new road schemes.[18] Following the 2004 review of the Welsh Government's transport policy in 2004,[18] they updated the list for major improvements and new road schemes.[18] 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.[18]

As of April 2015, out of a total of 34,495 miles (55,514 km) of roads in Wales, 1,576 miles (2,536 km) are Trunk Roads (including 133 miles (214 km) of motorways and 350 miles (560 km) of dual carriageway).[1]

Current Trunk Roads in Wales
Name of Trunk Road Road classification
(A road / Motorway)		 Notes Image
M4 motorway (in Wales).
It forms part of the London—Fishguard Trunk Road and also the European route E30
UK-Motorway-M4.svg
 Although part of the European route E30, the directional signs omit the European route numbers. It is mostly a 3 lane motorway apart from junctions 24 to 26 around Newport and from junction 38 around Port Talbot until the western terminus of the M4 at junction 49 at the (Pont Abraham services) where it is a 2 lane motorway in each direction. 125px
The M4,
near Cardiff
M48 motorway (in Wales)
UK-Motorway-M48.svg
 The M48 was previously the M4 motorway, until it was renamed when the Second Severn Crossing was built in 1996. It is a 2 lane motorway in each direction. 125px
The M48,
near Caldicot
A48(M) motorway
UK-Motorway-A48 (M).svg
 The A48(M) opened in 1977 originally as an ending for the M4. The M4 was subsequently extended from junction 29 in 1980 and this section of road was subsequently renumbered the A48(M). It is a 2 lane motorway in each direction. 125px
The A48(M),
near Cardiff
Dolgellau—South of Birkenhead Trunk Road[19] (A494)
UK road A494.PNG
 The road runs south west (mid Wales) to north east Wales. It is mostly a single carriageway road apart from a section betwenn Queensferry and the M56 motorway where it is dual carriageway road. 125px
The A494,
near Queensferry
London—Fishguard Trunk Road.[20]
It forms part of the European route E30)
(A40, A48, A466, M4 motorway).
UK road A40.svg UK road A48.svg
UK road A466.PNG UK-Motorway-M4.svg
 The A40 forms part of the Welsh Government’s East to West network of trunk roads linking Abergavenny with Fishguard in Wales. The A40 is predominantly a single carriageway in Wales apart from a section between Carmarthen and St Clears. It forms part of the 6,050 kilometres (3,760 miles) European route E30 from Cork (Republic of Ireland) to Omsk (Russia). 125px
The A40,
near Abergwili
Cardiff—Glan Conwy Trunk Road (A470)[21]
UK road A470.PNG
 The A470 is a north-south route running from Llandudno Junction and the A55 in the north to Cardiff on the south coast. It is generally a single carriageway road north of Merthyr Tydfil and dual carriageway south of Merthyr Tydfil. A470 North, Pentrebach - geograph.org.uk - 421685.jpg
The A470,
near Pontypridd
A4232 Trunk Road
(Capel Llanilltern – Culverhouse Cross Link Road)[22]
(A4232)
UK road A4232.PNG
 A4232 Trunk Road was opened in 1985 and was designed to provide a link between the Vale of Glamorgan and the west of Cardiff on the A48 with the M4 motorway. It is 5.47 kilometres (3.40 miles) in length. The remainder of the A4232 road is not trunked. A4232 (Capel Llanilltern – Culverhouse Cross Link Road).jpg
The A4232
(Cardiff Link Road)
Raglan—Llandovery Trunk Road[23] (A40)
UK road A40.svg
 The A40 is an east to west route in mid Wales from Raglan (Newport—Worcester Trunk Road) and Llandovery. It is mostly single carriageway standard apart from the Brecon Bypass, which is dual carriageway. 125px
The A40
(Brecon Bypass)
East of Abercynon—East of Dowlais Trunk Road[24] (A4060)
UK road A4060.PNG
 The A4060 is a mix of dual carriageway and single carriageway. It links the Cardiff—Glan Conwy Trunk Road (A470) to the south of Merthyr Tydfil where it is a 3 lane single carriageway to the Neath—Abergavenny Trunk Road (A465) at Dowlais Top where it is a dual carriageway. 125px
The A4060,
near Merthyr Tydfil
Bangor—Chirk Trunk Road.
It forms part of the London—Holyhead Trunk Road)[25][26] (A5)
UK road A5.PNG
 The A5 London to Holyhead road is a trunk road in Wales running from Bangor in the north west through to Chirk in the south east of the region. The A5 is predominantly a single carriageway in Wales. 125px
The A5,
near Plas Offa
Swansea—Manchester Trunk Road[27] (A483)
UK road A483.PNG
 Between the junction of the A55 and Ruabon in north Wales, the road is dual carriageway. The remainder of the road is single carriageway. 125px
The A483
(Gresford Bypass)
Chester—Bangor Trunk Road, also known as the Holyhead—Chester Trunk Road.[28][29][30] It forms part of the European route E22. (A55)
UK road A55.svg
 The A55 trunk road is the main east-west route in North Wales. The road is some 129 km (81 miles) in length, It is a dual carriageway and includes the Britannia Bridge and the A55 tunnels. West of Junction 11 (across Anglesey) is managed by UK Highways Ltd as part of a private finance initiative and east of Junction 35a (in England) is managed by the Highways Agency. It forms part of the 5,320 kilometres (3,310 miles) European route E22 that links Ishim (Russia) with Holyhead 125px
The A55,
near Colwyn Bay
Neath—Abergavenny Trunk Road[31] (A465)
UK road A465.PNG
 This road is more commonly known as the Heads of the Valleys Road. The road is a main east-west route in South Wales along with the M4 motorway. Large sections of the road are dual-carriageway and with the remainder being single carriageway. The Welsh Government has promised that the dualling of the whole trunk road will be complete by 2020. Heads of the Valley Road (A465) near Princetown.jpg
The A465,
near Princetown
Newport—Worcester Trunk Road[32] (A449)
UK road A449.PNG
 This road to the main road from South Wales to English Midlands. 125px
The A449,
near Newport
Newport—Shrewsbury Trunk Road[33] (A4042 road)
UK road A4042.PNG
 The trunk road is the main south-north route in eastern Wales. 125px
The A4042,
near Cwmbran
Shrewsbury—Dolgellau Trunk Road[27]
(also known as the Shropshire Boundary—Mallwyd Trunk Road[34] (A458)
UK road A458.PNG
 The road is an east-west route in mid Wales connecting the London—Holyhead Trunk Road (A5) in the east near Shrewsbury to the Cardiff—Glan Conwy Trunk Road (A470) in the west near Mallwyd. It is a single carriageway road. 125px
The A458,
near Mallwyd
Haverfordwest—Milford Haven Trunk Road[35] (A4076)
UK road A4076.PNG
 The road is a small north-south road linking the London — Fishguard Trunk Road (A40) at Haverfordwest to the port of Milford Haven. It is a single carriageway road. 125px
The A4076,
near Haverfordwest
Fishguard—Bangor Trunk Road[36] (A487)
UK road A487.PNG
 The A487 is a south – north roads running through the west Wales, linking Fishguard in Pembrokeshire with Bangor in north Wales. It is a single carriageway road. 125px
The A487,
near Gellilydan
Newtown—Machynlleth Trunk Road[37] (A489)
UK road A489.PNG
 The A489 is an east-west route. It runs from Newtown to Machynlleth and is split into two distinct lengths. The southern section is 8.5 km (5 miles) in length links the A483 road at Newtown to the A470 road at Caersws. The Northern section is 9 km (5.5 miles) in length and links the A470 at Cemmaes Road to the A487 road at Machynlleth. The A470 and A489 are both mostly single carriageway roads. 125px
The A489,
near Abergwydol
Newtown—Aberystwyth Trunk Road[21] (A44)
70px
 The A44 is an east-west route. It links the A483 road at Newtown to the A470 road at Caersws.The A44 is an east-west route running from the A470 at Llangurrig to Aberystwyth. 125px
The A44,
near Llangurig
Glanusk Park (Crickhowell)—Llyswen Trunk Road[38] (A479 road)
UK road A479.svg
 The A479 from the A40 near Crickhowell to the A470 at Llyswen and is generally a single carriageway road and is 21 km (13 miles) in length. 125px
The A479
(Bronllys Bypass)
St Clears—Pembroke Dock Trunk Road[39] (A477)
UK road A477.PNG
 This is an east-west route from the junction of the London—Fishguard Trunk Road (A40) at St Clears to Pembroke Dock. In 2014 the St Clears to Red Roses improvement road was opened, this new road bypassed the communities of Llanddowror and Red Roses. The road is a single carriageway with over half its length carrying three lanes. 125px
The A477,
near Red Roses
Source: What Do They Know, Welsh Government: List of Welsh Government Roads and Classifications[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 3113 The Traffic Signs Regulations 2002 , regulation 4.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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