The preferred route for the A477 St. Clears to Red Roses scheme in Carmarthenshire was announced by Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, on Monday, following a review of route options shown at a public exhibition in 2004. It has been decided to proceed with a modified Route 4, an amendment to one of the two options presented at the exhibition and following local concern. This would form a northern bypass of both Llanddowror and Red Roses, with an alignment further away from the properties on the north- western edge of Llanddowror. Announcing the decision, Mr. Davies said: "I am pleased to announce this improvement of a substandard section of trunk road with a poor alignment and accident record. "The A477 trunk road from St. Clears to Pembroke Dock is one of the main links from the M4 motorway to Pembrokeshire. It forms an important part of the Welsh Assembly Government's strategic road network and this scheme will complement the recently completed improvements between Sageston and Redberth and Nash to Bangeston." Speaking from her office in Carmarthen, Christine Gwyther AM told us: "I am so pleased that the route for the Llanddowror-Red Roses bypass has now been announced by the Welsh Assembly Government. "It starts at St. Clears roundabout and follows the existing A477 towards Llanddowror before diverging westerly from the existing road 350m north-east of the centre of the village. "It then follows a curved line crossing the Afon Hydfron, before climbing the southern slopes of the Taf Valley and then crosses the Tavernspite- Llanddowror road about 750m west of Llanddowror. "It goes just south of Cnwce, before going over Brandy Hill. Then it heads south, crossing the B4314 Tavernspite-Red Roses road, before it turns west and ties into the existing A477 just east of Brynhyfryd. "This route will now be made public at an exhibition, and details will follow on that. "The decision marks an important step in the fight to get this bypass. The road will be built in 2010. What I like about the route is that it looks like there will be little disturbance to the normal running of the A477 while the work is going on. "The Red Roses-Llanddowror bypass is the last link in the chain of work to the A477 and it has been a long time coming" FOOTNOTE: The Assembly Government has produced a statement explaining the reasons for the choice of the preferred route which is available by telephoning 029 2082 5969.
