The public will get an opportunity to view and discuss options for a long awaited replacement for the key A494 River Dee Bridge crossing. An exhibition is being held on Tuesday, January 21 at St Andrew’s Church, Garden City.
It forms part of the public consultation, which runs until Tuesday, March 4, on a shortlist of options to replace the bridge, which is a vital link for cross-border traffic between North Wales and the north west of England, Welsh Government chiefs say. The bridge, carrying some 68,400 vehicles each day, is suffering ongoing structural deterioration.
Inspections have warned of a growing need for repairs that could eventually lead to closures. A statement by the Welsh Government said: “The public exhibition is open between 10am and 7pm on Tuesday 21 January. Stakeholders and the public will be able to view scheme information, speak with members of the project team and provide feedback.
“A new bridge is needed as the requirement for repairs on the existing bridge is increasing. Inspections and monitoring to date have concluded that the frequency of repairs and the risk of major repair and intervention requiring the closure of the bridge is growing year-on-year.
“The preferred option identified in 2019 has been reviewed and new scheme options are proposed that ensure better alignment with current policies whilst improving value for money and resilience along this strategically important corridor. A further priority is to reduce disruption during construction as far as possible.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates added: “Fixing our roads is a priority for this government, and I would urge local people and people who use the bridge on a regular basis to take part in the consultation.
“The bridge is vital for the road infrastructure of North Wales. Come and see the options for yourselves on the 21st January and have a chat about what they could all deliver. We will listen carefully to people’s views and I expect to be able to announce the way forward in May.”
The Welsh Government has shared what it says is the “best performing option”, but there are alternatives on the table:
Best performing option
A range of options were looked at as part of this stage of the consultation. The best performing option consists of constructing a new bridge to carry two lanes of eastbound and westbound traffic and a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians.
The new bridge would be located southeast of the existing A494 River Dee Bridge. Construction works are proposed to take place away from the existing highway (offline) to allow the road to remain open during the majority of construction.
Other key features include:
- Improvements to the existing A494 to the east of where the road passes under the North Wales Coast Railway Line. This would include introducing a new hard shoulder in each direction connecting to the existing hard shoulders to the east of the River Dee, alignment improvements and sustainable drainage systems
- A new access/exit to leave the A494 towards the Riverside area just past the river crossing. Road users will also be able to join the A494 from the same junction, turning left towards Queensferry.
- Up to 3km of new and improved walking and cycling routes, connecting to the Wales Coast Path, National Cycle Network Route 568, Queensferry and Garden City.
- Diversion of the ‘the Queensferry Drain’ (a Natural Resources Wales main river), which is situated on the southeast side of the A494 and currently flows in a culvert beneath it, west of the North Wales Coast Railway Line and in open channel east of the railway line. New sections of open channel would be provided either side of the railway with a section of existing culvert beneath the railway line being retained.
- A new drainage outfall to the River Dee would be created and a new Queensferry Drain Pumping Station facility provided to the west of the River Dee.
- Environmental mitigation and biodiversity enhancement works including wildflower verges, swales, native woodland plantations and amenity grassland.
Other options:
Option B
New twin structure River Dee Bridge plus active travel link within existing rail underbridge.
- This would replace the River Dee Bridge with two new bridges.
- Work at the railway would be minimised with the existing highway verge area through the structure being reconfigured to facilitate an active travel path.
- Up to 3km of new and improved active travel paths.
Option C
New twin structure River Dee Bridge plus separate rail underbridge for active travel.
- This would replace the River Dee Bridge with 2 new bridges.
- A new underbridge would be constructed through the railway embankment for an active travel path.
- Up to 3km of new and improved active travel paths.
Option D
New off-line single structure River Dee Bridge plus new westbound rail underbridge.
- This would replace the River Dee Bridge with a new bridge immediately upstream.
- The existing river bridge would either be re-purposed for a non-motoring usage or demolished.
- A new underbridge would be constructed through the railway embankment for westbound road traffic and an active travel path.
- Up to 3km of new and improved active travel paths.
Option F
New off-line single structure River Dee Bridge plus separate rail underbridge for active travel.
- This would replace the River Dee Bridge with a new bridge immediately upstream.
- A new underbridge would be constructed through the railway embankment for an active travel path.
- Up to 3km of new and improved active travel paths.
North Wales Live has also previously reported on the timetable for the bridge replacement:
- May 2025: Preferred option selected with outline business case
- September 2025: Draft Orders published
- Spring/summer 2026: Public inquiry held
- Summer 2026: Ministerial decision to proceed
- Winter 2026/spring 2027: Work begins
- Summer/autumn 2029: Work completed
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