While drivers might disagree, a report into the state of the A55 said it is performing well ‘most of the time’.
The main link road between Chester and North Wales is under scrutiny in the Moving Forward Wales report.
There are still issues with congestion at busy times at junctions such as Ewloe (A494) and the Posthouse Roundabout (A483).
But the writer of the report, Professor Stuart Cole, says the road is performing efficiently on major routes outside of peak-time pinch points.
He found while many of the businesses questioned cited issues of road congestion, official journey speed maps for Wales showed that the average speed along major routes such as the A55 were 60-70mph.
He says there are flaws in the current methods used to produce traffic forecasts, which mean that they have repeatedly over-estimated true traffic levels, and calls for a new arm’s-length body to deliver an integrated transport network.
Related story: A55 disruption ahead as 12 months of roadworks announced
Prof Cole said: “In the past Wales has had a policy of ‘predict and supply’ where we have tried to predict how many cars would be on the roads and have built new roads to meet the traffic levels that have been predicted.
“However, it is clear that the traffic forecasts have been wide of the mark for some time, and the figures I have highlighted show that Wales’ major roads network functions well for most of the day.
“It is clear that we now need to look beyond increasing roads capacity, and consider how we can improve public transport provision to better meet the needs of transport users and reduce road congestion at peak times.
“Key to that is the alternative of ‘provide and promote’ where we create improved public transport provision and encourage increased use through information and publicity.”
Related story: Plans to increase A55 speed limit to 80mph backed by Tories
The report makes a number of recommendations aimed at improving the public transport system in Wales.
It supports the establishment of a new arm’s-length body – Transport for Wales (TfW) / Trafnidiaeth I Gymru (TiG) – to lead on integrated transport policy and provision, with Joint Transport Authorities to oversee regional transport provision.
The report also calls for a greater emphasis on the cost of travel by public transport, and timetables which better meet the need of businesses and local economies. It suggests that powers over bus regulation should be devolved to Wales.
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments below.
