Farmers are feeling 'increasingly frustrated' by the lack of information they are receiving from the Welsh government with regards to the new A487 Bontnewydd / Caernarfon bypass.
In a letter to Edwina Hart, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, NFU Cymru has made the strength of its member’s feelings known and urged the Welsh Government for clearer communication.
Aled Jones, NFU Cymru Mid-Gwynedd County Chairman, who has a dairy farm just outside Caernarfon, explained that communication is key in moving forward. He said, “Many of our members are losing prime agricultural land as a result of this development, which will have long term implications for their farming businesses, in addition to this, many more farmers are likely to be affected during the construction phase.
“The biggest concerns amongst those affected are that they have been given no confirmation of the exact route and no planned timescale for its construction. It is also alarming that contractors tendering for the work have been visiting farms that are potentially affected by the bypass, but these farmers had been given no forewarning by Welsh Government that these visits were to take place.”
The letter also stated that farmers need more information regarding locations of the lagoons that will used to collect water from the new road and the locations of the yards and offices that the contractors will need during the course of the construction project.
Aled Jones ended, “The development has major implications for both short and long term business planning. In moving forward Welsh Government need to provide those farmers affected with more information and contact details of a designated officer for farmers to contact with any issues and concerns.”
