With some drivers expected to avoid official diversions, it’s nearby towns and villages risk being swamped
Eastbound A55 approaching the Dobshill turn-off. On this section, the road still has transverse joints and its surface is deteriorating(Image: Google)
Four weeks of roadworks are due to get underway on the A55 in Flintshire tomorrow (Sunday, February 22). Repairs and upgrades are planned on the eastbound carriageway between junction 34 at Ewloe and junction 35 at Dobshill.
On weekdays, the eastbound carriageway will be reduced to one lane between 6am-8pm. On weekday nights, from 8pm-6am, the carriageway will be completely shut. At weekends both eastbound lanes will be closed round the clock – from 8pm on Friday until 6am on Monday.
Five sets of diversions have been organised by councils in Flintshire and Cheshire. The longest is a 24.8-mile detour taking at least 36 minutes. At busier times, this is likely to take longer.
Since the scheme was announced, drivers have lined up to declare it a “nightmare”. A local man said: “Safe to say it’s going to be chaos!” Transport secretary Ken Skates accepts the roadworks might cause “frustration”.
Diversion route when the eastbound A55 is closed between J34 Ewloe and J35 Dobshill(Image: Traffic Wales)
In the main, the longer diversions are an attempt to protect villages from being overwhelmed by HGVs and through-traffic. Drivers have been quick to point out unofficial alternatives – though these risk swamping places like Mold, Buckley and Penymynydd from one direction, and Hawarden, Ewloe and Sandycroft from the other.
Online, a woman said: “For those who know the area, they will know ways around the official diversions. Cut through Drury or Hawarden to start with. They won’t officially divert traffic there because the roads can’t cope but for those who know, you won’t need to go 30 miles out of your way.”
Another added helpfully: “If you not familiar with the side roads use Google maps it will reroute you the quickest way. No need for a 30-mile diversion.” Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Diversion route to Broughton from the Dobshill eastbound on-slip(Image: Traffic Wales)
The work includes removing worn-out surfacing and repairing or replacing deteriorating concrete slabs underneath. The aim is to rid the eastbound carriageway of its transverse joints, originally installed so that its concrete slabs can expand and contract, preventing cracking.
The road will then be resurfaced with an “improved surfacing product”. Traffic Wales, which manages trunk roads for the Welsh Government, said drivers and nearby residents should notice the difference. A spokesperson said: “Once repairs are complete, the new surfacing will have none of the existing transverse joints which will help to reduce associated road noise from this section.”
A55 J33B Alltami eastbound on-slip diversion to Northop(Image: Traffic Wales)
So many diversions are needed partly because of concurrent road safety improvements at two A494 roundabouts. These upgrades are designed to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists travelling between Ewloe and St David’s Park. Another complication is the closure of the A55 on-slip from Alltami at junction 33B
The biggest of the diversions will affect A55 drivers attempting to head east towards the Dobshill junction or on towards Broughton, Chester and Wrexham.
Instead they will be encouraged to continue along the A494 and A5117 towards Ellesmere Port, returning via the A41 through Chester’s outskirts before re-joining the westbound A55 at Junction 39.
Westbound A494 drivers wanting to get to Broughton or Chester must in theory U-turn at Northop and follow the above diversion, adding more miles and minutes to journeys. How many people actually follow this detour remains to be seen.
U-turn diversion via Northop for westbound A494 drivers approaching the A55 on-slip at Ewloe when it’s closed(Image: Traffic Wales)
All the night time and weekend diversionsDobshill eastbound on-slip closure: A550 drivers attempting to join the eastbound A55 at Dobshill must instead continue to Penymynydd before joining the A55 at Broughton.Eastbound A55 J34 Ewloe to J35 Dobshill: Eastbound A55 drivers diverted via Ellesmere Port and Chester (see above).A55 J33B Alltami closure: A494 Mold Road drivers cannot join the A55 at Alltami. Instead they must divert to Northop via the A5119 to join the eastbound A55.A494 St Davids westbound on-slip closure: As part of active travel works, B5225 drivers looking to head west along the A494 and A55 must instead divert east to the next A494 junction (Asda Queensferry), then return along the westbound carriageway.A494 westbound on-slip at Ewloe: As the A55 on-sliproad will be closed at junction 34, drivers will need to continue to the next junction at Northop, returning on the eastbound A55. NB: The eastbound off-slip at junction 34 is also closed.
Diversion route for westbound drivers when the westbound on-slip is closed at the A494 St Davids roundabout(Image: Traffic Wales)
‘Optimal compromise’
To complete the scheme in “such a short period of time”, contractors will work in shifts 24/7. Given the need for off-peak working, overnight noise is expected to be louder than usual.
Explaining why the dates were picked, Traffic Wales said: “There are some activities within the works that require dry weather, and materials, which require minimum temperatures to be installed.
“We have given the timing of this project much consideration and we believe we have picked the optimal compromise between traffic flows and weather/temperature requirements.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox