£51m Deeside road scheme begins

The new scheme hopes to ease congestion in and out of Wales

Work has begun on a £51m scheme to ease congestion on major roads into Deeside.

The A5117 Deeside Park junctions improvement aims to create a better link between the M56 and north Wales by building a 5km (3.1 mile) dual carriageway to replace roundabouts.

Archie Robertson, chief executive of the Highways Agency - which is funding the scheme - officially declared it open in a ceremony on Wednesday.

The Welsh Assembly Government has contributed £4.15m to the project.

Opening the project, Mr Robertson said: "I am delighted to be marking the start of work on this important road scheme, which will boost regeneration, reduce congestion and improve safety.

"The new dual carriageway with its improved junctions will reduce congestion for long-distance traffic between North Wales and the North West, and make the route safer for local traffic too.

"There will also be a safer route for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders along the length of the scheme."

The dual carriageway will include two new two-level junctions to replace the roundabout and signals at Parkgate Junction and Woodbank Junction in Cheshire.

At Dunkirk, on the M56, a bypass of the existing roundabout will separate through traffic from local traffic.